Flag Day
History records the first Flag Day celebration as being in the spring of 1861. Hartford resident George Morris is commonly credited as initially coming up with the idea for Flag Day not long before the break out of the Civil War. Hartford was in the heart of pro-Union New England and many were upset with the South’s disregard for the official flag. Morris brought his idea to Hartford Courant Editor Charles Dudley Warner, who published an editorial in the newspaper on June 14, 1861. The Courant Editorial led to Connecticut’s General Assembly voting to make Connecticut the first state to recognize June 14th as Flag Day.
“It has been suggested that the day be hereafter celebrated in a quiet way by a general display of flags, etc.,” the editorial said. “We like the suggestion, and think that such an observation of the day would increase our love for and our loyalty to the Stars and Stripes. … So let every flag be hoisted and every window show.”
The idea of a Flag Day caught on slowly. William T. Kerr in Pennsylvania founded the American Flag Day Association of Western Pennsylvania in 1888, and became the national chairman one year later. He attended President Harry S. Truman’s 1949 signing of the Act of Congress that formally established the observance.
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day in 1916, but it wasn’t until August 1949 that National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. The measure was signed into law by President Harry Truman with William T. Kerr in attendance.
Flag Day Holiday Status:
Although Flag Day is not celebrated as a Federal holiday, it’s a day for Americans to honor the history and heritage. It’s one of the “extra special” flag flying days in the Flag Code. More on flag flying days.
Every June 14th is Flag Day. On this day, the U.S. flag is supposed to be flown proudly. Why is Flag Day on June 14th? Is there a proper way to display the flag? Over forty different nations have a day known as Flag Day.
In the United States, this day is celebrated on June 14th. This date was selected because it was on June 14th, 1777 that the United States flag was officially adopted. On this day, homes and businesses are supposed to display the American flag. However, the flag cannot just be displayed in any manner.
There are certain rules of etiquette that must be followed regarding the flag. These rules are stated in the Federal Flag Code which became public law on June 22nd, 1942. The following represents a sample, but not all, of the United States Flag Code. When raising and lowering the flag, it should be hoisted briskly, but lowered ceremoniously.
The flag should only be displayed from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagpoles. It may be displayed throughout the night, if illuminated during the hours of darkness. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, unless the flag in use is an “all-weather” flag.
The flag should be displayed daily on or near any main administration building of any public institution. It should also be displayed in or near every polling place on election days. Every school should display a flag on or near the school house building. If the flag is being carried in a procession with other flags, it should either be to the far right of this group, or at the center and out in front of the other flags.
No other flag should be placed above the American flag. Flags from other nations may be flown at the same height as the American flag, but the American flag should be to the extreme right of this group. The flag of one nation is never to be flown over that of another. The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade, except from a staff.
The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle. If a flag is being displayed on a moving vehicle, that flag should be on a staff which is fixed firmly to the right side of the vehicle (specifically, the right fender). If the flag is being displayed on a wall, crossing staffs with another flag, the flag should be on the right (the flag’s right), and the American flag’s staff should be in front of the other staff.
If a flag is being displayed flat against a wall, the star field (known as “the union”) should be to the flag’s own right (the observer’s left). When used on a speaker’s platform, if the flag is being displayed flat, it should be displayed above and behind the speaker. If the flag is being displayed from a staff, then it should be in a position of prominence, to the speaker’s right.
Any other flags should be displayed on the speakers left. The flag will be flown at half-staff for thirty days following the death of a president or former president. After the death of a vice-president, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or the Speaker of the House, the flag will be flown at half-staff for ten days.
The flag will also be flown at half-staff for associate justices of the Supreme Court, the death of a Cabinet member, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the governor of a state, or a member of Congress. If the flag is being flown at half-staff, it should first be raised to the top of the staff, and then lowered to the half-staff position.
Additionally, when the flag is lowered for the day, it should be returned to the top of the staff, and then lowered completely. If a flag is draped over a casket, it should be done so that the union should be at the head of the casket and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave, or allowed to touch the ground at any time.
The flag should never be displayed with the union down. This applies regardless of whether the flag is being displayed on a staff, or on a wall. The only exception is if it is being used as a signal of distress or extreme danger to life and property. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, including the ground, floor, water, or merchandise.
The flag should never be worn as clothing, used as bedding, or as curtains. It should never be drawn back, but always allowed to fall freely. Nor should it ever be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. The flag should never be displayed, used, or stored in a manner which would allow it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged.
The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on articles such as cushions or handkerchiefs, or printed on paper napkins, plates, or anything else that is designed for temporary use and discarded. Nor should it ever have additional markings, insignias, letters, words, figures, designs, pictures, or drawings of any nature.
When facing the flag during the national anthem, or the pledge of allegiance, all those present should stand at attention, with their right hand over their heart. Men should remove their hats. Military personnel, both those in uniform or out, should salute the flag.
Source Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEYlPHrm6AA
Flag Day, from “Anniversaries and Holidays and How to Observe Them”, Mary Emogene Hazeltine, published 1944.
This is the anniversary of the day on which the Continental Congress formally adopted the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States 1777.
Since the first public observance of the anniversary in 1897, the day has come to be widely recognized, chiefly by displaying the flag on all public buildings and in public places, along the streets, and on business houses and residences. The schools and playgrounds hold appropriate exercises, while patriotic, civic, and other organizations honor the day.
The salute to the flag begins all programs; the American’s creed, a study of flag etiquette, a flag-raising, and much patriotic music can well be part of the day’s program; the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and a reading “Makers of the flag,” by Franklin K. Lane (see 448 and other collections) are annual program numbers. The literature of the flag is considerable, both as to its history, significance, and symbolism, and its praise in poetry and song. Excellent programs can readily be arranged not only for the platform but also for playground exercises, with flag drills and pageants.