Flag Day in the US is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. It is not however a federal holiday recognized as a paid holiday for employees of the government.

 

There are many claims to the first official observance of Flag Day, all but one took place more than an entire century after the flag’s adoption in 1777. The first claim was from a Hartford, Conn., celebration during the first summer of 1861. However, the History Channel reports that "Bernard Cigrand, a small-town Wisconsin teacher, originated the idea for an annual flag day, to be celebrated across the country every June 14, in 1885. That year, he led his school in the first formal observance of the holiday. Cigrand, who later changed careers and practiced dentistry in Illinois, continued to promote his concept and advocate respect for the flag throughout his life."

 

The US Department of Veteran Affairs reports "the most recognized claim, however, comes from New York. On June 14, 1889, Professor George Bolch, principal of a free kindergarten for the poor of New York City, had his school hold patriotic ceremonies to observe the anniversary of the Flag Day resolution. This initiative attracted attention from the State Department of Education, which arranged to have the day observed in all public schools thereafter."

 

Veteran Affairs also reports, the governor of New York in 1897 ordered the displaying of the flag over all public buildings in the state, an observance considered by some to be the first official recognition of the anniversary of the adoption of the flag outside of schools.

 

Another claim comes from Philadelphia. In 1893, the Society of Colonial Dames succeeded in getting a resolution passed to have the flag displayed on all of the city’s public buildings. Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, a direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin and the president of the Colonial Dames of Pennsylvania, that same year tried to get the city to call June 14 Flag Day. However, resolutions by women were not granted much notice in 1893.

 

Both President Wilson, in 1916, and President Coolidge, in 1927, issued proclamations asking for June 14 to be observed as the National Flag Day.

 

It was not until May 7, 1937, that Pennsylvania became the first state to establish the June 14 Flag Day as a legal holiday. Flag Day is a nationwide observance today, However, Pennsylvania is the only state that recognizes it as a legal holiday. 

 

it wasn't until August 3, 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law.

 

So, it is with great pride that our subscribers can display their flags this Flag Day.

 

 

The Lewisville Area Flags subscription program provides needed funding for many local organizations, including LISD Schools, The Salvation Army, Education Foundations, Christian Community Action, Masks Against 19, and many other local and global causes. It should also be pointed out that a share of the proceeds goes to our partners at BSA Troop 9168 who use the funds for the scouts year round camping costs, but primarily their summer camp fees.
 
Thank you for being a valued subscriber to our program. We not only hope that you will continue to be a part of our flag program, but that you will also help us promote the program so that we can continue to help our local and global community.