06/14/2026
Flag Day, observed annually on June 14, commemorates the day in 1777 when the Continental Congress officially adopted the design for the first national U.S. flag.
The first unofficial flag was the Grand Union Flag (1775–1777), featuring 13 stripes and the British Union Jack.
The first official "Stars and Stripes" was the Betsy Ross Flag, adopted by Congress on June 14, 1777. It featured 13 stripes and 13 stars arranged in a circle. (Legend credits Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross with sewing the first flag, though historians largely attribute the actual design to Francis Hopkinson.)
History of the Holiday
1777: The Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating: "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
1916: President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day.
1949: President Harry S. Truman signed an act of Congress officially designating June 14 as National Flag Day.
Symbolism of the Flag
While Congress never explicitly assigned an official meaning to the flag's design, traditional interpretations include:
The Stripes: The 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the original thirteen colonies that declared independence.
The Stars: Each star represents one of the 50 states in the union.
The Colors: Red symbolizes hardiness and valor; white signifies purity and innocence; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
It is a time for Americans to reflect on national unity, the country's history, and the values of freedom and justice.
