Flag Day is today, honoring the adoption of the United States flag on June 14th, 1777. While it is not as widely celebrated as other American holidays, Flag Day holds deep historical meaning that most people never think about.
On June 14th, 1777, the Continental Congress decided that, to represent the original thirteen colonies, the United States national flag would have thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen stars on a blue background. As the United States expanded, more stars were added, and the flag shifted from circular star formations to the layout we all know today. Today the flag has 50 stars representing the 50 states but still has the original 13 stripes to remind us where the country began.
The flag’s colors have just as much meaning; red symbolizes valor and bravery, and stands for the sacrifices made for the country. The white was intended to represent purity and innocence and to reflect the nation’s ideals, while blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Together, these colors were picked to represent the core values of the United States.
The United States flag has had 27 official versions since its creation, and the current 50-star design has been used only since 1960, after the U.S. government admitted Hawaii as a state. The flag also received its nickname “Old Glory” in 1803 by 21-year-old Captain William Driver, who was appointed master mariner and commander of the Charles Doggett. The name comes from a large handmade flag that was gifted to him by his mother and a group of women in Salem, Massachusetts. According to the legend, when he raised the flag, he exclaimed, “My old glory,” giving it the iconic name.
The flag also has very specific rules for its handling and display, known as the U.S. Flag Code. Some of these rules include requiring the flag to be taken down at night or having a light shone on it, raising the flag higher than other flags, and never letting the flag touch the ground, in addition to folding and other instructions.
Flag Day has become much more widely recognized thanks to efforts by Bernard Cigrand, who pushed for a national holiday to honor the flag. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared June 14 as Flag Day, and in 1949, it became a national observance.
Even though Flag Day is not a federal holiday, it is a time to reflect on the country’s history and remember what the flag represents and the values Americans stand for.