Celebrating Flag Day 2022

“That the flag of the United States shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation.”

The above resolution was adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. The flag represented then as it does now a symbol of freedom, and was first carried into battle on September 11, 1777 in the Battle of Brandywine.

The colors in the flag are symbolic; red stands for hardiness and courage, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance and justice. The 13 strips represent the original 13 colonies. The stars represent the states in the union, and over time the flag was updated to reflect the number of states as the nation grew. Read on to learn more about how the American flag changed over time and its pivotal role in our nation’s history.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day and just one year later in an address he delivered as the nation entered World War I, he said, “We meet to celebrate Flag Day because this flag which we honor and under which we serve is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation.”

During the war of 1812, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the “The Star-Spangled Banner” when he and his company found the American flag still intact after Fort McHenry was bombed. The poem, originally titled “The Defence of Fort M’Henry”, was later set to the music of a popular English drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven”.

On April 4, 1818 thirteen stipes on the American flag became the standard. Congress passed legislation fixing the number of stripes at 13 and stating that the number of stars should be equal to the number of states.

The affectionate appellation “Old Glory” originated from Captain William Driver in regards to a flag he flew during many his voyages, and then took with him when he moved to Nashville, TN in 1838. On February 25, 1862 after Ulysses S. Grant occupied Nashville, Driver climbed to the top of the Tennessee capitol building dome and hoisted the Old Glory for all to see.

The Pledge of Allegiance was adopted by Congress on June 22, 1942. Congress changed the official manner of delivery to placing the right hand over the heart.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title4/html/USCODE-2011-title4-chap1.htm

One of the most well-known images of the American flag is when it was raised over Iwo Jima in 1945 during World War II. The image won a Pulitzer Prize for Photography.

On August 21, 1959 President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued an Executive Order establishing the design of a 50-star flag, when Hawaii became the final state. This flag was first officially raised over the Fort McHenry national historic site on July 4, 1960.

Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong planted an American flag on the moon on July 21, 1969. Armstrong, the first person to set foot on the moon, uttered the immortal words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 firefighters hoisted a flag above the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York. The image is similar to the photo taken of the flag being raised over Iwo Jima and has become equally famous.

Flag day is often celebrated with parades and by activities sponsored by Veterans groups. The best way to celebrate Flag Day is by flying your own American flag and by getting your flag on with some of the awesome patriotic products we offer. Because we love tradition, our favorites include the American Flag Pin and the Standard Flag Hat. We suggest putting on your items of patriotism and saluting Old Glory this Flag Day!