About three weeks before Americans celebrate the Fourth of July comes another opportunity to pay respect to the country’s history.
Flag Day celebrates the history of the U.S. flag annually on June 14.
It’s observed then because on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes for the American flag, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.
When did Flag Day start?
President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that established June 14 as Flag Day in May 1916, but the day had already been celebrated for years in places across the country, according to the Library of Congress.
Over three decades later, President Harry Truman signed into law in 1949 designating June 14 as the national Flag Day.
Is Flag Day a federal holiday?
No, it is not. You can expect businesses like banks and post offices to be open Friday.
What is the meaning behind the colors of the American flag?
The flag’s colors have a meaning. Red is for valor and bravery, white for purity and innocence and blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice, according to U.S. General Services Administration.
How can I display the American flag properly?
Here are just a few things to know should you want to display the flag correctly and with respect, according to the U.S. Flag Code.
- The flag may be displayed 24 hours a day when a “patriotic effect is desired” and if properly illuminated when it’s dark
- No other flag or pennant should be above or to the right of the U.S. flag
- The flag should never touch anything beneath it such as the ground
- The flag shouldn’t be displayed with the union (the blue and white stars upper left corner of the flag) down, except as a distress signal
Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
First appeared on www.desmoinesregister.com