by C.E. Evans

Created on: June 06, 2008

One might assume that the first official Flag Day in the United States was the brainchild of a high ranking government official, or a colonial American near the time of the flag's creation. In truth, the first individual to promote a day of recognition for our nation's flag was a Wisconsin school teacher, nearly one hundred years after the flag's official adoption by the Continental Congress.

Bernard Cigrand, an elementary school teacher and the son of two European immigrants, held the first "Flag Birthday" celebration on June 14th, 1885 at Stony Hill School in Waukeba, Wisconsin. He wanted to teach his young pupils the importance of this American emblem, and honor it on the day of its official inception, June 14th, 1777.

The following year Cigrand left Wisconsin to attend dental school in Chicago, where he continued to promote the need for an official, annual observance of the birth of the U.S. flag. For many years to come, Cigrand championed his cause, giving nearly 2,200 speeches throughout the country on the importance of patriotism and reverence for the flag. Cigrand also eventually became the president of the American Flag Day Association and the National Flag Day Society, allowing him to continue his work with the help from the backing of both organizations.

In 1889, having learned about "Flag Birthday", most likely from Cigrand's tireless endorsement, New York City kindergarten teacher George Balch held a Flag Day ceremony for his students. Balch's actions prompted the New York State Board of Education to adopt a yearly observance for the nation's flag.

Word spread, and the popularity of Flag Day continued to grow throughout the nation. After the implementation of a yearly day of remembrance for the flag, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed an official national day of observance in 1916. Later, in 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress, formally establishing a national observance of the holiday, to be held yearly on June 14th.

The story of Flag Day's origins serves to illustrate exactly why we should give it a yearly day of remembrance. The US Flag serves as a symbol of the principals America was founded on, to include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all its citizens. It is fitting that Bernard Cigrand, a first generation American, could achieve a lifelong goal of bringing recognition to the symbol of a nation he so loved, a nation that allowed him the freedoms and opportunities to make that dream a reality.

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