In honor of D-Day (June 6, 1944) and Flag Day (June 14), Christian Activities takes a look at the flag of the United States and some facts about Flag Day.
Top 10 Ten Flag Day Facts
1. We celebrate the unofficial federal holiday Flag Day every June 14th as a day to commemorate the American flag.
2. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted by resolution the official Flag of the United States with 13 stars and 13 stripes representing the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and became the first states in the Union.
3. There have been 27 official versions of the American flag since its first adoption more than 240 years ago.
4. The colors of the flag are red, white and blue. The official website of the United States government states that, red symbolizes “valor and bravery” while white symbolizes “purity and innocence” and blue symbolizes “vigilance, perseverance, and justice.”
5. Although Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, in 1916, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making June 14 “Flag Day.”
6. One hundred years ago, on Flag Day 1917, the poster pictured here was created as part of the celebration.
7. For Flag Day, 1942, Franklin D. Roosevelt observed: “The belief in man, created free, in the image of God-is the crucial difference between ourselves and the enemies we face…God of the free…grant us victory over the tyrants who would enslave all free men.”
8. In August 1949, an Act of Congress established National Flag Day.
9. On June 14, 1954, Dwight Eisenhower signed Joint Resolution (Public Law 396) adding the phrase “One Nation Under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10. The U.S. Army also celebrates the Army’s birthday on this date. Congress adopted “the American continental army” on June 14, 1775.
Originally published on June 6, 2007
