How Much Do You Know About Flag Day? Here's What to Know in 2024
Summer is the unofficial season of patriotism in America. For instance, there are holidays like the 4th of July and Memorial day that take place during the warmer months. Which in turn call for barbecues galore and extra fun pool parties. Because if there's one thing that America shines at, it's celebrating its inspirational history. Another one to keep in mind during this time is Flag Day! It may not be a federal holiday, but it's certainly observed by plenty of Americans.
So, dive into Flag Day and all that it entails! (Yes, it's indeed a day about the American Flag—but there's so much more to it.) The day is full of history, interesting facts, and patriotism. So go ahead and get fed with some knowledge. Read on for everything you need to know about Flag Day, including when it is, why we celebrate it, and exactly how you can honor the day in 2024.
What is Flag Day and why do we celebrate it?
Flag Day is a celebration that honors and commemorates the stars and stripes on the American Flag. While you might not have a day off from work or school, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14 to honor the day in 1777 when the flag was officially recognized by the United States.
What is the flag etiquette for Flag Day?
When it comes to the American flag, there are different sets of rules and forms of etiquette depending on the occasion. And on Flag Day, there are specific do's and don'ts that people must follow, according to Knox News.
Do: Raise the flag briskly and lower it ceremoniously.
Don't: Allow the flag to touch the ground or floor.
Do: Fly the flag only from sunrise to sunset. (Night time exposure is okay if it is well lit.)
Don't: Transport the flag horizontally.
Do: Always allow the flag to fall free.
A full set of rules can be found over at Knox News.
Why do we celebrate Flag Day on June 14?
We can date Flag Day's importance all the way back to 1777, when the Continental Congress passed a resolution that stated America must have an official flag to represent the nation and its' people. The same day (on June 14), a design for the flag was approved.
But it wouldn't be until years later that Flag Day became a holiday. And though there's no word on who officially made the call, we do have a couple of names to thank. Bernard Cigrand, a Wisconsin native and popular school teacher, was known to consistently pitch the idea of federally observing the birth of the flag. Other notable names who followed the same belief at the time were George Morris, George Bolch, and Elizabeth Duane Gillespie—relative of Benjamin Franklin. All could be seen pushing the idea for Flag Day in newspapers and holding their own ceremonies around their communities.
On May 7, 1937—Pennsylvania had become the first official state to declare Flag Day (June 14) an official state holiday. And then on August 3, 1949, Congress approved the national observance of Flag Day, putting it all into fruition.
What are you supposed to do on Flag Day?
There are many ways to show your American pride on Flag Day! A great way to start is by displaying an American flag (or multiple) around your home on June 14. You could also use any patriotic decorations to add some extra flare when hosting a summer barbecue on the day. This is where you can bring in red, white, and blue desserts like flag cake and have a patriotic playlist blasting in the background. There are plenty of parades and official ceremonies, that you can participate in, too—so make sure you're up date with your community events! This isn't a day you necessarily have to go above and beyond for, but it's nice to still keep it on your radar as you reflect on the significance of it all.
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