Flag Day 2024 is Friday, June 14. The date commemorates the adoption of the American flag's design, as well as the symbolism and history behind it. Many Americans are unfamiliar with the observation, especially compared to other patriotic days like the Fourth of July.
So, why do we celebrate Flag Day? What's the origin story behind it? Here's a brief rundown.
Is Flag Day a national holiday?
Flag Day isn't a federal holiday, but it has been celebrated for over a century. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as a day of national observance in 1916, according to the U.S. General Services Administration. President Calvin Coolidge did the same in 1927. Congress did not approve the national observation until August 3, 1949, after which President Harry S. Truman signed it into law.
However, the origins of Flag Day can be traced much further back.
Origins of Flag Day
An earlier version of the American flag's current design was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, though the date wouldn't be celebrated until a hundred years later. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has documented three claims for the nation's first Flag Day.
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut, may have held the first celebration in the summer of 1861. In the late 19th century, U.S. schools hosted Flag Day programs in an effort to Americanize immigrant children. The tradition was then taken up by other communities.
New York City, New York
However, the more recognized claim originates from New York City. On June 14, 1889, the principal of a free kindergarten for children in low-income families held ceremonies to honor the anniversary of the Flag Day resolution. According to the VA, the State Department of Education then adopted the initiative for all public schools. In 1897, New York's governor proclaimed the flag should be displayed over all public buildings within the state.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Yet another Flag Day origin story comes from Philadelphia in 1892. The Society of Colonial Dames successfully passed a resolution to display the flag at all public buildings, the VA reports. The president of the society and a direct descendent of Benjamin Franklin, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, led the push to declare June 14 as Flag Day. However, it wasn't until 1937 that Pennsylvania became the first state to deem Flag Day a legal holiday − and it remains the only state to do so.
Is the U.S. flown at half staff on Flag Day?
The U.S. flag is usually flown at full staff on Flag Day, though a president or state governor issues a proclamation to fly it at half staff.
People are also reading:Flags are half-staff in Texas for Memorial Day, but only until noon. Here's why
What do the colors of the flag mean?
The colors red, white and blue did not have meanings for the Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, when the Congress of the Confederation chose red, white and blue for the Great Seal of the United States in 1782, the meanings were listed as:
How to properly display the American flag
Flag etiquettehas long been established to treat the flag with dignity. In 1942, Congress created theU.S. Flag Code,which provides guidelines for displaying and caring for the flag. Flags should always hang freely but never with the stars down, except as a distress signal.
Some codes for the U.S. flag include:
- No other flag may be flown above or to the right of the U.S. flag except at the United Nations headquarters.
- Citizens may fly the flag anytime, preferably from sunrise to sunset — except for special occasions or when well-lighted.
- When a flag becomes unfit to fly, it should be destroyed with dignity.
- A flag should never touch the ground.
How to fold the American flag
There is a traditional triangular method used to fold the American flag. According to theAmerican Legion, the origins of the triangular fold are unknown, but some sources attribute it to the Gold Star Mothers of America or a chaplain stationed at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Here’s how it's done:
When are flags flown at half staff?
There are specific holidays and events when flags are flown at half-staff in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.That includes:
- Memorial Day, when the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.
- Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.
- Patriot Day.
- National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
- National Firefighters Memorial Day.
President Dwight Eisenhower also issued a proclamation on the proper times for flying the flag at half-staff when government officials die. That includes:
- 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president.
- 10 days at half-staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the speaker of the House of Representatives.
- From the date of death until interment for an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, or the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
- The date of death and the following day of a United States senator, representative, territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It should also be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory, or commonwealth of these officials.
- From the date of death until interment for the governor of a state, territory or possession.
The president may also order the flag to be flown at half-staff to commemorate the death of other officials, former officials or foreign dignitaries, in addition to tragic events.
—USA TODAY reporter Janet Loehrke contributed to this report.
