Flag Day

Significance of Flag Day 2021

Flag Day 2021, is a holiday observed annually on June 14. It is a day that commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States that took place in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The United States Army also celebrates the Army Birthday on this date.

History of Flag Day

The history of Flag Day 2021 dates back to June 14, 1777, when British symbols of the Grand Union flag were replaced with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes ( one for each state) by the Continental Congress. The number of stars increased as the new states entered the Union, but the number of stripes stopped at 15 and was later returned to 13.

In June 1886 Bernard Cigrand made his first public proposal for the annual observance of the birth of the flag. Cigrand's efforts to ensure national observance of Flag Day finally came when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of the event on June 14, 1916.

However, Flag Day did not become official until August 1949, when President Harry Truman signed the legislation and proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day. In 1966, Congress also requested that the President issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as National Flag Week.

Traditions of Flag Day 2021

Traditionally, Flag Day 2021 is viewed as a time of honour. The flag of the United States represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of the country's ideals since its early days; therefore people (across the United States) use this day to reflect on the foundations of the nation's freedom. They also remember their loyalty to the nation, reaffirm their belief in liberty and justice, and observe the nation's unity.

People and organizations may display the American flag at homes and public buildings. Other popular ways of observing Flag Day 2021 include: flag-raising ceremonies and services, school quizzes and essay competitions about the American flag, musical salutes and street parades. The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation to call on government officials in the USA to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on Flag Day and to urge US residents to observe Flag Day 2021.