LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Ever wonder about the origins of Flag Day and why we observe it on June 14? Flag Day’s roots go back to 1885 when a school-teacher from Wisconsin named “BJ†Cigrand arranged for the students of Fredonia, Wisconsin to celebrate June 14 as “Flag Birthday.â€Â Why June 14? Well, because it was the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of the Stars and Stripes on June 14, 1777.
During the late 19th Century, other schools, various patriotic organizations, and cities and states, celebrated Flag Day in different ways, including encouraging everyone to display the flag. In 1894, the New York governor decreed that the flag be flown on all public building on June 14. Also on June 14, 1894, some 300,000 children participated in Flag Day ceremonies at five Chicago parks.
It wasn’t until May 30, 1916, that President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed June 14 — the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 — as Flag Day.
Another thirty-three years passed, and it was on Aug, 3, 1949, that President Harry S. Truman signed the Act of Congress, which designated June 14 of every year as National Flag Day.
Old, worn and tattered flags are officially disposed of on Flag Day by a flag burning ceremony – the only way to retire “Old Glory†properly.
Apparently our frequent high winds in Las Vegas are the primary contributing cause of tattered flags. So what is Las Vegas doing to celebrate Flag Day? First and foremost, fly the flag at your home and/or workplace to show respect for our flag and support for our military members.
If you want to attend an official Flag Day ceremony to honor the colors on June 14, go to the American Legion Post Eight on Veterans Memorial Drive between Bonanza and Washington, downtown Las Vegas. Flag burning will be done throughout the day, with a formal ceremony at 6 p.m. at the big flagpole.
Have a happy and safe Flag Day, and pause a moment to pay tribute to the Stars and Stripes and to honor the men and women who fought and died for our flag and all that it represents.
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