The U.S. flag, adopted on June 14, 1777, is a symbol of freedom that has undergone many changes over time. The flag resolution was adopted by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, setting out the design with 13 stripes and a blue field of stars. The flag first saw battle in 1777 during the Battle of Brandywine and was saluted by foreign vessels in 1778. The number of stars has changed over the years, with the current 50-star flag being adopted in 1960 after Hawaii became a state.
Flag Day is celebrated annually on June 14 in honor of the adoption of the U.S. flag. The first celebrations of Flag Day date back to the 1860s in Connecticut and continued through the 19th century. In the 1880s, a teacher named Bernard J. Cigrand attempted to get Congress to declare Flag Day a national holiday. President Harry S. Truman eventually signed a bill in 1949 declaring June 14 as Flag Day. The flag is a symbol of pride and patriotism for many Americans.
The American flag has served as a symbol of freedom and perseverance throughout history. It has been a source of pride and patriotism as well as a point of contention for some. In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a protester who burned an American flag, stating that it was a form of symbolic speech. President Woodrow Wilson emphasized how the flag represents the history and experiences of the American people, embodying the nation’s spirit. George Washington also spoke about the symbolism of the flag, representing the separation from the mother country and the pursuit of liberty.
The design of the American flag was not officially codified until June 24, 1912, when President William Howard Taft issued an executive order specifying the proportions and arrangement of the stars. Prior to this, flag makers had discretion in arranging the stars and proportions. Flag Day is a day to honor the adoption of the flag and celebrate the American spirit. On June 14 each year, Americans come together to display their pride and patriotism in the flag that represents the nation’s history and values. The flag continues to be an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy.
