by Christina Peek

Created on: June 06, 2008

The American Flag. Our banner, like our country, was made from hope and from pride. The meaning that the Flag holds is different to each individual. For me it represents my ability to be an educated woman. It stands for the tours that my grandfather did in Vietnam, my father did in Operation Desert Storm, and my brother did in Iraq. When I look at the Flag, I remember the emotion that I personally felt on September 11, 2001 as our entire country was savagely attacked. Every American can identify our flag and most know the basic symbolism behind the flag, but few know anything about it's holiday.

The need for a celebratory day for our nation's has been noted in history as far back as 1861. George Morris of Hartford, Connecticut was the first man to suggest the holiday. In 1861 he lead his town to have a small service of patriotics and prayer on June 14th. They chose to celebrate on the anniversary of the day the Second Continental Congress adopted the flag on the United Stated in 1777.
Bernard Cigrand, a school teacher from Waubeka, Wisconsin, also saw the need for a day of observance for our country's flag. In 1885 he organized the first formal Flag Day. He then traveled the United States speaking on the importance of our flag and the need for a national holiday. Cigrand has been tagged as the 'Father of Flag Day' for his role in forming our modern celebrations.
It wasn't until 1916 that an American President tried to make Flag Day an official national holiday. Woodrow Wilson presented a proclamation that June 14th should be held as a day of observance of our American flag. It wasn't until 1949, thirty three years later, that National Flag Day was established by an act of Congress.
Flag Day is typically celebrated locally by holding parades. The president requests that all businesses and homes display the American flag for the entire week surrounding Flag Day. It has also become a trend for men to buy gifts for the women in their life to demonstrate their respect and admiration. A great idea for kids is to make their own American flags to hang outside with your flag.
I feel that it was only fitting that the fight for Flag Day endured so many years, much like our country fought so many years for independence. Whatever your personal history and whatever your memories of the Flag, make June 14th a celebration in your own way. Find a parade or a picnic. Barbecue with your friends. The American flag symbolizes all of the reasons why you are able to do the small things like that.

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