Celebrating the red, white, blue Published June 15, 2015 By Senior Airman Stephanie Englar 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Every year, Flag Day is celebrated across the United States on June 14. For many, the United States flag is a symbol of freedom, a symbol of honor, and a symbol of courage. What is the reason behind Flag Day and how did it begin? It all started a few hundred years ago, following America's victory in achieving independence from Britain. Following the American Independence from Britain in 1776, President George Washington sought to have a flag created that was different than the Grand Union Flag that was flown earlier that year. Betsy Ross suggested a flag design with five-pointed stars while many others had their own designs. The following year, June 14, 1777, was when the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act declaring "that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." The declaration resulted in the creation of the new flag, however it would take many years before an official day was established to honor the flag. Flag Day first started unofficially back in 1885 when Bernard Cigrand, a teacher in Waubeka, Wisconsin, placed an American flag on his desk and asked his students to write an essay about the flag's importance. By doing this he wanted to inspire his students, as well as all Americans, to learn about the real meaning of the flag. Cigrand worked diligently to establish a national Flag Day and is known for holding the first recognized Flag Day. Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day' in numerous magazines, newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years. Today, he is known as the "father of Flag Day." 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 14, 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. By the early 1900s many groups celebrated Flag Day unofficially on June 14. Inspired by over three decades of state and local celebrations, its status changed in 1916 when it was officially established by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. In 1949, President Harry Truman established June 14 of each year as the National Flag Day. However, although June 14 is a national holiday, it is not a federal holiday. The only state that recognizes it as an official holiday is the state where the flag was officially created: Pennsylvania. The American flag has been through many changes since it was originally created by Betsy Ross. Driving along Harpe Blvd. one can observe the United States flag as it has changed throughout the years. The flag Betsy Ross created is located right next to the flight line and is characterized by its 13 five-point stars in a circular pattern. There were several different flags during that year, but the Betsy Ross flag is the most recognizable. Heading toward the Wing Headquarters building, the second flag on Harpe, with the 13 stars in the now familiar rectangular pattern, was the first officially designated U.S. flag by the 1777 resolution, often referred to as the Francis Hopkinson flag. Francis Hopkinson was a popular patriot, a lawyer, a Congressman from New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, poet, artist, and distinguished civil servant. This flag flew over our nation for 18 years. The next flag in our nation's history is the Star Spangled Banner flag which became official on May 1, 1795. With the addition of Vermont and Kentucky, the new flag had 15 stars and stripes. This is the only flag in our history to have other than 13 stripes and would fly over our country for 23 years. This flag would be immortalized by Francis Scott Key as it was the one flying over Ft. McHenry when he wrote the Star Spangled Banner. The nation's current flag flies over the Gene Smith Plaza in front of the Wing Headquarters building has been doing so since July 4, 1960, marking the admittance of Hawaii into the union. Take a bit of time this Sunday, June 14, to remember the history and meaning behind our "Grand Old Flag" as we all celebrate National Flag Day.
