A Brief History:
Premise: In order to celebrate a more, perfect Union and the heritage behind the symbol of freedom, a holiday purely to celebrate the important artifact called the American flag.

When:  First on June 14, 1885 — Then June 14, 1916.

Who:  First in the 19^th century by Bernard Cigrand, a Wisconsin teacher then Illinois dentist, originated the original idea for an annual flag day — Then affirmed in the 20^th century by President Woodrow Wilson.

Evolution of the flag:  The Colonial flag with thirteen stars has the half served truth that Betsy Ross, that served that tent seamstress for George Washington’s army knitted the first flag on her own. She was joined by Robert Morris and Colonel George Ross, a relative. As the states grew out of the colonies, the flag went through evolution as well. The latest flag went from 48 stars to 50 with preparations throughout the 1950’s and Alaska and Hawaii becoming states–and on July 4, 1960, a new design by Bob Heft was selected as the final draft of what we fly to this day.

Traditions: Many Americans observe the Memorial Day holiday by visiting cemeteries or memorials, and holding family gatherings, and participating and attending in parades in honor. The holiday is by no means a new one, because dating back to the late 1860’s, Americans in various towns, cities and states began holding springtime tributes to countless fallen soldiers. They decorated their graves with flowers and prayers.

Colonial History: In 1775, Colonists were fighting under several flags instead of one united flag. Within the war for independence against the British, the Brits fought under their own flag, so in June of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, creating the Continental Army. It was one unified force that inconsequentially led to the creation of what was the first Colonial American flag, in red, white and blue with 13 red and white alternating stripes with the Union Jack in the corner. This led to some confusion because it was very close to the look of the British flag. George Washington looked for a solution to ease on confusion, build better confidence and create symbolism by a unique design. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress while writing the Articles of Confederation, passed a resolution on a unique design for the to come flag with a “Flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white. . .The union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

Not on July 4^th: The holiday is celebrated on a different day than our Independence Day, because the inception of the making of the flag was on June 14^th.

A Few Facts:

I am sharing a few facts, and more, some trivia, some not trivial. . .

• Flying a flag upside-down is not originally intended as an act of protest, it was originally an official distress signal.
  
• Bearing of an American flag is appropriate for any and all Patriots, and it does not matter if they served in the armed forces, just that they are a true Patriot.
  
• The Flag Code stipulates that flags should not be used as apparel, bedding or drapery carpet and rugs. In animosity, I personally have seen a lot of bandannas out there!
• Original etiquette calls for American flags to be illuminated by the daylight or another light source while on being on display.
• Thanks to the Flag Protection Act of 1968, it became illegal to burn or otherwise deface the flag of the United States. Two decades later the Supreme Court ruled that government cannot prohibit an individuals’ First Amendment rights in desecration of the U.S. flag. I definitely do not condone the behavior because a lot of people have died for not only the flag, but the freedom it stands for. Respectful burning of damaged flags according to an ceremonial and established protocol has always been acceptable for the proper discard of a flag.
• The flag is not supposed to hit the ground at any time. While hiring and lowering the flag from a flagpole, it is considered not only sloppy, but disrespectful for the flag to touch the ground.
• When cities, states, localities, businesses or groups, fly a flag on the same staff, the other flags, including a “P.O.W.” flag are never to be larger in size or flown above the U.S. flag. The only incidence you will see this throughout America, and true exception, is in the case in the five U.S. locations of the N.A.T.O., where the N.A.T.O. is customarily flown over the U.S. flag.
• Drawing on, writing on, or further embellishment to the flag is frowned on and prohibited, but some Americans have disregarded this in order to sign them.
• More. . .
  

Officially Adopted U.S. Flags: 1776 – 2023:

Officially Adopted U.S. Flags: 1776 – 2023
Flag #	Flag Release Date	Flag Name	Flag Image
#1	January 1, 1776	Grand Union Flag
#2	May 1776	13 Stars Betsy Ross Flag
#3	1792	15 Stars & Stripes KY-VT
#4	1818	20 Stars TN-OH-LA-IN-MS
#5	1819	21 stars IL
#6	1820	23 stars AL-ME
#7	1822	24 stars MO
#8	1836	25 stars AR
#9	1837	26 stars MI
#10	1845	27 stars FL
#11	1846	28 stars TX
#12	1847	29 stars IA
#13	1848	30 stars WI
#14	1851	31 stars CA
#15	1858	32 stars MN
#16	1859	33 stars OR
#17	1861	34 stars KS
#18	1863	35 stars WV
#19	1865	36 stars NV
#20	1867	37 stars NE
#21	1877	38 stars CO
#22	1890	43 stars ND-SD-MT-WA-ID
#23	1891	44 stars/ WY
#24	1896	45 stars UT
#25	1908	46 stars OK
#26	1912	48 stars NM-AZ
#27	1959	49 stars AK
#28	1960	50 stars HI

The Present:
The flag still flies high, to the day. It stands for the freedom it bears, and plenty of people are still willing to defend her to today. Visit “Our Flag” courtesy of GovInfo.gov (CDOC-109sdoc18.pdf) to learn more from the official flag website!

The Future:
We will NEVER, ever forget that the flag is very important and all those who died in the name of the freedom for which the flag! God Bless the U.S.A.!

FREEBIES & DEALS For Flag Day:
🇺🇸🇺🇸 FREE Flag Day: Fonts
🇺🇸🇺🇸 FREE Flag Day: Images
🇺🇸🇺🇸 FREE Flag Day: Star Spangled Banner sheet music
🇺🇸🇺🇸 CHEAP Flag Day: Ideas, Crafts & Worksheets

Happy Flag Day!!