The History of Flag Day & Why It Should Be Celebrated

Flag Day falls on June 14 every year, but most people treat it as a footnote between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. It is not a federal holiday. Banks stay open. Mail gets delivered. Schools hold class. Because of that, Flag Day tends to slip by without much attention.

That is a missed opportunity. Flag Day marks the anniversary of the day Congress adopted the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States. The holiday has a long, stubborn history, driven by people who spent decades pushing for its recognition. Here is how it started and why it still matters.

How Flag Day Started

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing the flag of the United States: "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." That resolution is the reason June 14 is Flag Day.

The 1777 resolution did not specify the arrangement of the stars, the proportions of the flag, or much of anything beyond the basic elements. It would take more than a century before the flag's design was fully standardized. But the date stuck, and the flag became the defining symbol of the new nation from that point forward.

Bernard Cigrand and the Push for Recognition

The person most responsible for Flag Day becoming a recognized observance is Bernard Cigrand, a schoolteacher from Waubeka, Wisconsin. In 1885, Cigrand placed a small flag on his desk at Stony Hill School and asked his students to write essays about what the flag meant to them. He considered that day, June 14, to be the first formal observance of Flag Day.

Cigrand spent the next several decades campaigning for national recognition of Flag Day. He wrote articles, gave speeches, and organized local celebrations. He reportedly gave over 2,500 speeches on the topic of patriotism and the flag over the course of his life. Other individuals and groups joined the cause in the years that followed.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day. But that proclamation did not make it a permanent national observance or a federal holiday. It was a one-time recognition that needed to be renewed.

When Flag Day Became Official

It took another 33 years after Wilson's proclamation. In 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day. The act made the observance permanent, but Congress chose not to make it a federal holiday. Federal employees do not get the day off. There is no mandatory flag display protocol beyond the standard flag etiquette rules that apply every day.

Pennsylvania is the only state that treats Flag Day as a state holiday. Some cities and towns hold parades, ceremonies, and community events, but participation varies widely from one place to the next.

What Flag Day Means Today

Flag Day is the birthday of the American flag. The flag adopted on June 14, 1777, has been revised 26 times as new states joined the union. Each version represents the country as it was at that moment in history. The current 50-star flag, designed by a 17-year-old Ohio high school student named Robert Heft, has been in use since 1960, making it the longest-serving version.

For flag owners, Flag Day is a natural checkpoint. It is a good day to inspect the flag, replace it if it is worn, and make sure the flagpole and hardware are in good shape before the heavy use that comes with the Fourth of July.

How To Celebrate Flag Day

At Home

Fly the flag. If you already have a flag on a pole or bracket, make sure it is clean, bright, and properly displayed. If you do not have one, Flag Day is a great reason to start. A house-mounted bracket and a 3x5 American flag is the simplest way to begin.

Use the day to teach kids about the flag. Talk about the stars and stripes, what each element represents, and how to fold a flag properly. It is a short, tangible civics lesson that sticks.

At Your Business

Businesses can use Flag Day to refresh their display. Replace faded or frayed flags, inspect flagpole components for wear, and make sure the lighting is working for nighttime display. A well-maintained flag display reflects well on any business, especially heading into the Fourth of July weekend.

Some businesses take the opportunity to hold a small flag retirement ceremony for worn-out flags. It is a gesture that employees and customers notice.

In Your Community

Community organizations, scout troops, and veterans' groups often organize Flag Day events. These can include flag-raising ceremonies, parades, flag retirement ceremonies, and educational presentations for local schools. Contact your local VFW or American Legion post to find events in your area or to help organize one.

Flag Display Rules for June 14

There are no special display rules for Flag Day beyond standard flag etiquette. The flag should be raised briskly and lowered ceremonially. If displayed at night, it must be illuminated. If displayed outdoors, it should be an all-weather flag or brought in during rain. The flag should never touch the ground, and worn flags should be retired respectfully.

When flying multiple flags, the American flag takes the position of honor: to its own right on a group of poles, or at the top of a single pole. For the full set of rules, visit the flag etiquette page at Colonial Flag.

If your flag needs to be retired, Colonial Flag offers a flag repair and rotation program that can help you dispose of old flags properly and get a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Flag Day a federal holiday?

No. Flag Day is a nationally recognized observance, but it is not a federal holiday. Government offices, banks, and schools remain open. Pennsylvania is the only state that recognizes it as a state holiday.

Why is Flag Day on June 14?

June 14, 1777, is the date the Continental Congress adopted the resolution establishing the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States.

Do flags need to be at half-staff on Flag Day?

No. Flag Day is a celebratory observance, not a day of mourning. Flags should be flown at full staff unless a separate half-staff order has been issued by the president or a state governor.

Fly Your Flag This June 14

Flag Day is worth more than a passing mention on the calendar. It is the birthday of one of the most recognized symbols in the world. Browse the full selection of American flags, flagpoles, and accessories at Colonial Flag and make June 14 count.