Happy Flag Day! June 14, 2003

6-14-03

[cgk]

The History Of Flag Day

---

The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.

On June 14, 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City, planned appropriate ceremonies for the children of his school, and his idea of observing Flag Day was later adopted by the State Board of Education of New York. On June 14, 1891, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia held a Flag Day celebration, and on June 14 of the following year, the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution, celebrated Flag Day.

Following the suggestion of Colonel J Granville Leach (at the time historian of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution), the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America on April 25, 1893 adopted a resolution requesting the mayor of Philadelphia and all others in authority and all private citizens to display the Flag on June 14th. Leach went on to recommend that thereafter the day be known as 'Flag Day', and on that day, school children be assembled for appropriate exercises, with each child being given a small Flag.

Two weeks later on May 8th, the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution unanimously endorsed the action of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames. As a result of the resolution, Dr. Edward Brooks, then Superintendent of Public Schools of Philadelphia, directed that Flag Day exercises be held on June 14, 1893 in Independence Square. School children were assembled, each carrying a small Flag, and patriotic songs were sung and addresses delivered.

In 1894, the governor of New York directed that on June 14 the Flag be displayed on all public buildings. With BJ Cigrand and Leroy Van Horn as the moving spirits, the Illinois organization, known as the American Flag Day Association, was organized for the purpose of promoting the holding of Flag Day exercises. On June 14th, 1894, under the auspices of this association, the first general public school children's celebration of Flag Day in Chicago was held in Douglas, Garfield, Humboldt, Lincoln, and Washington Parks, with more than 300,000 children participating.

Adults, too, participated in patriotic programs. Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior, delivered a 1914 Flag Day address in which he repeated words he said the flag had spoken to him that morning: "I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself."

Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

[tubebender]

My almost 14-year old son is coordinating a flag retirement ceremony today as his final project for his Eagle Scout.

The Scouts were out at 7:30 this morning in Eureka putting Flags on business that have flag brackets on their buildings...

[TN4Liberty]

Thanks, I am really proud of him. The ceremony went well, despite a little rain. Several Scouts, former Scouts, veterans, firemen, and most of the City Council were present. And lots of aunts, uncles, and living grandparents of course.

In looking online, there are several types of ceremonies, some more military than others. I really think this is one that all the kids who participated in will remember all their lives. And the adults, for that matter.

[Alamo-Girl]

Buuuump!

[CARDINALRULES]

[hedgetrimmer]

Thank you for a great post.

Thanks for reminding us all of Flag Day.

[redrock]

Flag Day.....a reminder.

redrock

[cgk]

Thank you very much! And I love your version!

Happy Flag Day!

[cgk]

Thanks for the wonderful graphic and for the bumps!!

Happy Flag Day!

[cgk]

You're very welcome, and thank you!!

Happy Flag Day!

[cgk]

Happy Flag Day, redrock! ;)

[Ciexyz]

My almost 14-year old son is coordinating a flag retirement ceremony today as his final project for his Eagle Scout.

Cool! Good luck to your son in his pursuit of being an Eagle Scout.

[Ciexyz]

Thanks for posting all the verses of the Star Spangled Banner! I'm forwarding this entire thread on to my net friends.

[jhw61]

Quinc, Mass, Flag Day, 6-14-03.........Took my 4-yr. old son to the 52nd Annual Flag Day parade yesterday. So moving to see the veterans march, the flags go by and most of all, a float that carried folded American flags in honor of "our veterans". I clapped like crazy. Sadly, I seemed to be the only few. Another tear jerker was the float with family members holding the names of their loved ones who are overseas, most likely still Iraq.

We later picked up Daddy and went to the spectacular fireworks display where a 40' x 60' Olde Glory hosted a beautiful backdrop! It was a beautiful evening here in the City of Presidents (John Adams and John Quincy Adams).

[Geezerette]

Thank you for the info on flag retirement.

g

[cgk]

I clapped like crazy. Sadly, I seemed to be the only few.

One of the reasons I posted this thread. :) So we aren't "few" so much anymore.

Thank you sincerely... for sharing that with us! It sounds just wonderful. Happy Flag Day, belated... and Happy Father's Day! (just in time unless your east or central time) ;)

[Marysecretary]

Thanks for the ping, cgk! Love, Maryxxx

[Ciexyz]

At this time, the week after the 2008 election, I felt the need to go back and reread this patriotic thread from 2003 that I had bookmarked, esp. Post #5, the Declaration of Independence. Made me feel better.