Flag Day

I Pledge Allegiance

to the flag of the United States of America

and to the Republic for which it stands,

one Nation under God, indivisible, 

with liberty and justice for all.

Happy Flag Day! It’s one more sure sign summer is here—the flags are flying. And today is their special day. The Stars and Stripes was made the official flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, but it wasn’t until June 14, 1916 that the flag was given its own day. And that’s thanks in large part to a school teacher from Waubeka, Wisconsin (population 4,986). 

On June 14, 1885, Bernard Cigrand brought a 10-inch flag to Stony Hill School and assigned a flag essay to his students (who were still in school on June 14th!). From those humble beginnings, Bernard made it his life’s mission to see that the whole nation took a day to honor the red, white, & blue. His efforts paid off when President Wilson signed a proclamation declaring June 14 National Flag Day. The town of Waubeka holds a big shindig each year to celebrate. Leading up to the big day they sponsor a flag essay contest for kids, and this last weekend they put on a parade and family fun day.

Here are a few fun flag facts to ponder when flying your colors today:
·        The first flag, with the 13 stars and stripes, is called the Betsy Ross flag, although it’s not clear that Betsy Ross actually sewed the first flag. Some historians doubt the story, especially considering that it was first told by her grandson in 1870, almost 100 years after the fact.
·        The current version of our flag was designed by an 18-year-old high school student, who got only a B– for his efforts. When his design was accepted by Congress as the official design, the teacher bumped his grade up to an A.
·        There are six U.S. flags on the moon.
·        About 50 million U.S. flags are sold each year.
·        A flag expert is called a vexillologist.
·        Frank Bellamy, of Mount Morris, New York (mentioned in my earlier story Friday Feature: Mount Morris, New York) wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892.
·        The largest Flag Day parade is held in Troy, New York—it draws 50,000 visitors each year.
·        The oldest continuously running Flag Day parade is in Fairfield, Washington, which held its first parade on June 14, 1910.