by Leona Ash

Created on: June 11, 2008

National Flags of each country are not just symbols of a country. The colors and design represent history, honor and future goals. Each flag possesses powerful connotations and speaks volumes to the people of the country. The US Flag is no different. While the fourth of July is celebrated as America's birthday, another day is set aside to celebrate the Stars and Stripes. And it's called the Flag Day.

The origin of Flag Day dates back to June 14, 1777, where a resolution was adopted by the Continental Congress for the proposal of a national flag for the United States instead of the Britain Union Jack. The 13 stars on the flag would represent the 13 new states. George Washington had approached a young seamstress- Elisabeth Ross, to create the flag from his sketch.

A flag with this design was first seen at battle on September 11, 1777, during the Battle of the Brandywine. Foreign vassals were spotted to salute the flag on February 14, 1778, when Captain Paul Jones commandeered the Ranger carrying the flag arrived in a French port. Also, the flag first flew over a foreign territory, Nassau, Bahama Islands in 1778.

However, observance and adoption of the flag was not as forthcoming. Although many first observances of Flag Day were said to have occurred, the first significant one really took place one century after the flag's adoption in 1777.

The first Flag Day was believed to take place in 1877, where the flag was flown from every government building to honor the centennial adoption of the flag to represent the United States. But the idea of an annual day just to celebrate the flag came from a school teacher in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School. In 1885, BJ Cigrand had arranged for his class to observe the June 14 as "Flag Birthday". Following that, Cigrand became an active advocate for the day.

Over in New York City, a George Balch, planned ceremonies for the children of the kindergarten that he was teaching in on June 14, 1889. Later on, his idea of observing Flag Day was adopted by the New York State Board of Education.

In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America took on the suggestion of Colonel J Granville Leach and adopted a resolution to request the mayor of Philadelphia and all citizens of the state to fly the Stars and Stripes on June 14. A mere fortnight later, the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution endorsed the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America's action.

It was in 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day as a national celebration. However, the holiday was not officially recognized until 1949, when President Harry Truman signed on the National Flag Day Bill, calling for observance and displays of the Flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings.

In 1966, by a joint resolution, the Congress requested the President to announce that the June 14 week as "National Flag Week" and encourage US citizens to fly the flag that week.

Today, although Flag Day is celebrated countrywide. Some states even hold week long celebrations to honor the special day where the Stars and Stripes came into shape and meaning.

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