Pop quiz: what holiday falls on June 14th? All right, we kind of gave that away in the title, but what is Flag Day about, anyway? This overlooked observance celebrates the Stars and Stripes, the official national flag first adopted by the United States Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.
Old Glory is a beautiful flag, but let’s face it: it’s not the easiest for little hands (or even big ones) to draw! So many stripes, so many stars… it’s easier to remember how it all fits together if you know what it means. Here are the basics:
- There are 7 red and 6 white stripes, adding up to 13 to represent the original 13 colonies.
- These stripes alternate so that the top-most and bottom-most stripes are red.
- There are 50 white stars on a field of blue, representing the 50 states in the Union.
- Start with a row of 6 stars, followed by 5 stars underneath; alternate until you have 9 rows, ending with a row of 6 stars.
- Red stands for hardiness and valor.
- White stands for purity and innocence.
- Blue stances for vigilance, perseverance and justice.
Do you fly a flag at your home or cottage? Will you be decorating with flags for the 4th of July? Here are some rules of flag etiquette to remember, as set out in the Flag Code:
- The flag should not be used as drapery or decoration. Blue, white and red bunting should be used instead, with the blue stripe on top.
- The flag should not be embroidered or printed on items such as cushions, napkins, boxes or anything intended to be discarded after use.
- The flag should never have any mark, number, word, figure or drawing of any kind upon it.
- No part of the flag should ever touch the ground.
- The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly.
- The flag should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset, and it should be illuminated if displayed at night.
- The United States flag should be raised before and flown higher than the flag of any state, community or organization. If the flags are the same height, the U.S. flag should be to its own right.
- When flown with flags of other countries, all national flags must be on separate poles of the same height. All flags should be the same size and raised and lowered at the same time.
The flag should be cleaned and mended as necessary. When it becomes too old to represent our country, it should be burned ceremoniously. Many American Legions Posts and Boy and Girl Scout Troops have annual flag burning ceremonies on Flag Day. If your flag is looking tattered, call your local Legion Hall or Scout Troop to participate.
