In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring June 14 Flag Day. Congress followed the proclamation in 1949 by enacting a statue that officially recognized Flag Day.
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States which occurred on June 14, 1777 by a resolution adopted by the Second Continental Congress. It also marks the birthday of the U.S. Army which congress authorized as “the American Continental Army” on June 14, 1775.
In honor of Flag Day, here are a few facts about the United States flag to share with your students:
- The flag always flies at the White House, Fort McHenry, and the Iwo Jima memorial.
- There is no evidence that Betsy Ross designed the first American flag, but at one point, she was paid for creating “ships colours.”
- Some people believe a man named Francis Hopkinson helped design the original flag
- There are still five American flags on the moon, but they are all probably bleached white due to radiation from the sun
- When two or more flags are flown on the same pole, the American flag must be at the top
- The colors of the flag have important meanings: red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
There are sure to be a lot of American flags flying in Washington, D.C. this summer.
