Flag Day 2022: What it is, and proper flag etiquette

Today, June 14, is Flag Day. While not a federal holiday, it’s a time set aside to honor the Stars and Stripes and the role the flag plays in American history.

The day of the holiday – June 14th – is no accident. June 14 is observed as Flag Day each year because, on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes for the flag of the U.S. In 1885, a school teacher by the name of Bernard J. Cigrand encouraged his students to reflect on the symbolism behind the American flag. He eventually came up with the idea to establish an annual observance for the nation’s flag and penned an article called the “Fourteenth of June” in the Chicago Argus newspaper. To this day, Cigrand is regarded as the “Father of Flag Day.”

The first national observance of the day took place on June 14, 1877, 100 years after the original resolution. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation for the national observance of Flag Day on the 14th of June. President Harry Truman made the holiday permanent in 1949.

While Flag Day is commemorated in the U.S. it is not a federal holiday and government offices are open. Mail runs as normal on Flag Day.

Flag history

The Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia adopted a resolution on June 14, 1777, declaring:

“Resolved, that the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.”

The most well-known flag maker in Colonial America was Betsy Ross, though the federal history of the banner cites that it was made by others as well.

The American flag changed to add more stars as more states joined the union. The final stars added were the 49th with Alaska in 1959 and Hawaii as the 50th star in 1960. Ultimately, however, it was decided to leave 13 stripes to represent the 13 original colonies.

The flag with 50 stars was raised for the first time at 12:01 a.m. on July 4, 1960 at the Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore, Maryland.

Flag etiquette, tips

• A flag should not be stored wet which can cause permanent creases.
• If a flagpole is 40 feet, the flag dimensions should be 6 by 10 feet.
• The flag shouldn’t be flown in inclement weather unless it’s an all-weather flag.
• Flags displayed at night should be properly illuminated.
• In a time of national mourning, hang the flag at half-staff.
• The flag should not touch anything below it or rest on the ground.
• If a flag is damaged or worn out, it should be disposed of with dignity.