Turn Facebook Red, White And Blue On Flag Day

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. The celebration commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

The credit for the very first Flag Day celebration goes to GeorgeGeorge Morris of Hartford, Connecticut. In the “Kansas: a Cyclopedia of State History”, published in 1912, the opening pages read, “To George Morris of Hartford, Conn., is popularly given the credit of suggesting 'Flag Day,' the occasion being in honor of the adoption of the American flag on June 14, 1777. 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."

Before the celebration of the day, it is imperative that the essential facts of the honorable day be revised once again. The day is here and the whole of the United States is excited for celebrating the day with honor and pride. But, before celebrating the day, there are some important facts about this day which should be known by every American, in order to spend the day meaningfully.

Firstly, 14th June holiday commemorates the same day back in 1777 when the 2nd Constitutional Congress adopted the 13-stripes-and-13-stars flag. Secondly, the shining stars were put on a blue field, "representing a new constellation" in the night sky. Thirdly, June 14th was dubbed by President Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson as Flag Day back in 1914. Moreover, after repeated efforts by the congress, the parliament passed a concrete resolution to celebrate the day as a national holiday throughout the United States of America in 1949.

In an early celebration of the Flag Day in Coventry-West Greenwich Elks Lodge, the guest speaker State Senator Frank Maher observed, "The Red, White and Blue. Stars and Stripes. Old Glory. Our standard for the Star-Spangled Banner: the American flag. Since its first battle cry for freedom it has been a banner of democracy and our sacred symbol in the heart and soul of our country and freedom.”

Jack Kirkconnell, another lodge member, said, “The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks is the first and only fraternal body to require formal observance of Flag Day, in the 'History of the Flags' reading. In July of 1908, the Grand Lodge of this Order at Dallas, Texas, provided for the annual nationwide observance of “Flag Day” on the 14th of June each year by making it mandatory upon each Subordinate Lodge of the Order.”

June 14, 2011, will mark the 234th anniversary of the adoption of the nation’s flag by the Constitutional Congress in the year 1777.