U.S. Flag Day is observed on June 14. (Photo: Ravi Shah)
Flag Day honors the adoption of the Stars and Stripes on June 14, 1777, as the official flag of the United States. However, Flag Day was not established as an observed holiday until 1949.
The History of Flag Day
Flag Day was first created in the early years of the American Revolutionary War.
Although Flag Day is still not recognized as a federal holiday, it has been observed by most state and local governments since the late 1940s.
June 14, 1777: The Second Continental Congress Officially Adopts the Stars and Stripes
Prior to the American Revolutionary War, the militias of the 13 U.S. colonies marched under the flags of their respective states. To create a more unified military, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army in 1775.
Initially, this new army flew the Continental Colors, which was essentially a modified version of Great Britain’s Union Jack flag. Not long after, General and future President George Washington called on Congress to adopt a new flag that better represented America’s desire for independence.
After a relatively short debate, the Second Continental Congress adopted the very first version of the Stars and Stripes and the new flag was widely adopted as a symbol of the burgeoning republic.
June 3, 1916: Woodrow Wilson Calls for the First Official National Observance of Flag Day
Well over 100 years after Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes, President Woodrow Wilson issued a national observance of Flag Day. While this first official action did not establish Flag Day as an official holiday, it set the stage for future events.
August 3, 1949: Congress Establishes a Permanent Observance of Flag Day
On August 3, 1949, and nearly 200 years after the Stars and Stripes was adopted as the official U.S. flag, Congress permanently dedicated June 14 as Flag Day.
Click here to learn about more U.S. military and veterans holidays.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
