Not many folks are aware that June 14th is FLAG DAY. Maybe it was because I grew up in a Military town (San Diego) that I know about these things. But I have to say, I have always enjoyed observing it. Even as a kid I stuck flags either in the yard or somewhere in the house if I could get my hands on one.
I hope you have a flag somewhere. One that you can hang out in front of your home, or, perhaps place in your window. Maybe you have one of those table top stands that make for setting a flag on your kitchen or dining room table or even your desk at work.
So, just where did this special day come from? Well, I did some research and here is what the internet taught me…
President Woodrow Wilson (back in 1916) is the one that issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. But it wasn’t until August 1949 (a few years after WWII) that National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.
Flag Day is not actually an official federal holiday. But good ole Pennsylvania made it a state holiday. For the rest of us, however, here’s how it looks officially:
Flag Day used to include parades and festivities. One of the longest-running Flag Day parades is actually held in Quincy, Massachusetts (home of President John Adams and Abigail). Quincy celebrations began in 1952.
Appleton, Wisconsin’s Flag Day Parade is over 60 years old too!
The largest Flag Day is held in Troy, New York, and draws up to 50,000 spectators!
So how will you celebrate it this year? My dining room table is decorated, the door has something too, and I think I’ll stick some flags in the grass again, just for old times sake.
Just my thoughts.
S.