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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Flag Day is June 14th. What is Flag Day and Why Do We Celebrate Flag Day?


Below is a post written by a friend of mine, Amy Yarsinske, who is a wonderful historical author. She has written wonderful books. 
Click HERE to view her website and books she has written. 

June 14, is Flag Day. There are many stories as to how it got its beginning. Millions of Americans observe Flag Day by waving Old Glory outside their homes and businesses. Veterans' groups and sometimes whole communities also arrange civic functions and special ceremonies in honor of Flag Day.

As the legend goes, it was George Washington and two other members of the Continental Congress
 who asked Betsy Ross to sew the first American flag sometime in the late spring of 1776. The young widow was only in her early 20s when she completed the first flag with thirteen stars arranged in a circle.

A year later, the Continental Congress officially adopted the design for the national flag, and henceforward the Stars and Stripes symbolized the United States around the world.

The first "official" Flag Day was celebrated in 1877 - the flag's centennial. In 1916, a grassroots movement resulted in President Woodrow Wilson issuing a proclamation that called for a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14. Although still not an official holiday, Flag Day was made a permanent observance in America in 1949 by Congress who resolved "That the 14th day of June of each year is hereby designated as Flag Day."

Flag Day fun facts

Why red, white and blue? To the original members of the Continental Congress, red stood for hardiness and courage, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance and justice.

Why thirteen stars and stripes? They represented the thirteen American colonies which rallied around the new flag in their fight against the British for self-governance.

The thirteen colonies included Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

To this day, thirteen stripes still commemorate the original colonies. Instead of thirteen stars, today the number of stars on the US flag has grown to 50, representing every state in the Union.




Looking for fun Flag Day crafts, snacks and more? Check out our Red, White and Blue board on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/pebblebypebble/red-white-and-blue/



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