Flag Day- Today, June 14th

While the Fourth of July has traditionally been celebrated as America's birthday, the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the American Flag's adoption on June 14, 1777,  is believed to have first originated in 1861.


George Morris of Hartford, Conn., is popularly given the credit of suggesting "Flag Day," when the city of Hartford observed the day in 1861, carrying out a program of a patriotic order, praying for the success of the Federal arms and the preservation of the Union (during the Civil War).


There was no continuing tradition until 1885 when BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 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'. And more towns joined in on the celebration. Pennsylvania became the first (and only) U.S. state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, beginning in the town of Rennerdale


Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day 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.






Thanks to Wikipedia and the usflag.org website for historical info!