Flag Day: A History Lesson

Observance of Flag Day


The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. The flag should also be displayed on all Government buildings. Some organizations hold parades and events in celebration of America's national flag and everything it represents.

The National Flag Day Foundation holds an annual observance for Flag Day on the second Sunday in June. The program includes a ceremonial raising of the flag, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem (The Star-spangled Banner), a parade and more.

The Betsy Ross House, has long been the site of Philadelphia's observance of Flag Day.

Flag Day was first observed in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Continental Congress' adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. In that year, Congress asked that all public buildings fly the flag on June 14. The idea quickly caught on and many people wanted to participate in waving the flag. One early supporter was B. J. Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher who wanted June 14 to be known as "Flag Birthday."

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day as a national celebration. However, the holiday was not officially recognized until 1949 when President Harry Truman signed the National Flag Day Bill.

The Star Spangled Banner, with lyrics written by Francis Scott Key, is the most famous song about the American Flag. It has been sung by the famous and the amateurs at events held across the nation. "The Star-Spangled Banner" was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889 and the President in 1916, and was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931 (46 Stat. 1508, codified at 36 U.S.C. § 301), which was signed by President Herbert Hoover.

Before 1931, other songs served as the hymns of American officialdom. Most prominent among them was "Hail, Columbia," which served as the de facto national anthem from Washington's time and through the 18th and 19th centuries. Following the War of 1812 and subsequent American wars, other songs would emerge to compete for popularity at public events, among them "The Star-Spangled Banner."

In modern culture, it has become a song of national pride, and the Super Bowl performance of the song has become one of the most publicized. While there have been famous and infamous performances of the song, two particular performances seemed to catch American's ear.

In 1999, Cher surprised everyone with her heartfelt and controlled performance:



But it was 1991's Superbowl performance (during the time of the Gulf War) that set the standard. Houston's voice sails through the song with ease and grace. It became so popular that it was released as a aingle and climbed into the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Charts: