Flag Day 2025: What Is Flag Day All About? Plus, Five Fun Facts About Our American Flag
Flag Day is Saturday, June 14. What is Flag Day all about? Who really designed the first flag, and what do the red, white, and blue colors symbolize? See how much you know about U.S. flag history and meaning, plus find five fun trivia questions to test your knowledge.
What Is Flag Day?
Flag Day is a celebration of the American flag that occurs each year on June 14, the anniversary of the flag’s official adoption.
What we know fondly as the “Stars and Stripes” was adopted by the Continental Congress as the official American flag on June 14, 1777, during the Revolutionary War. Colonial troops fought under many different flags with various symbols—rattlesnakes, pine trees, and eagles—and slogans—“Don’t Tread on Me,” “Liberty or Death,” and “Conquer or Die,” to name a few.
The Declaration of Independence made the adoption of an American flag necessary. Previously, each colony or special interest had its own flag.
On that 14th of June, Congress made the Flag Resolution of 1777, stating: “The flag of the United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white on a blue field.” Official announcement of the new flag was not made until Sept. 3, 1777.
“Flag Day” has been celebrated as a patriotic occasion for many decades, but President Woodrow Wilson made the observance official on May 30, 1916, by a presidential proclamation.
Who Made The First American Flag?
The origins of the Stars and Stripes have become part of American folklore. Although many people believe that Betsy Ross designed and sewed the first flag, there is no true proof of this.
However, records do indicate that Betsy Ross most definitely made ensigns and pennants for the Philadelphia Navy during the war, and she certainly inspired the design of the current flag.
Based on colonial folklore, it has also been stated that the American flag was first flown in battle during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in 1777.
The original 1777 flag was designed to represent the 13 original colonies. It had 13 white stars on a blue field and 13 alternating red and white stripes.
One of the first flag designs had the stars arranged in a circle, based on the idea that all colonies were equal.
In 1818, after a few design changes, the United States Congress decided to retain the flag’s original 13 stripes and add new stars to reflect each new state that entered the Union.
Each time a state was added to the union, a star was added. Today, there are 50 stars, one for each state in the Union, but the 13 stripes remain.
Interestingly, the current American flag was designed by a high school student from Lancaster, Ohio, named Bob G. Heft! Even though Bob’s history teacher gave him a “B-” for not knowing how many states the Union had, Bob submitted his design to the White House (unprompted) in anticipation of Hawaii and Alaska joining the Union. To his surprise, President Eisenhower called him! Today, it’s Bob Heft’s 1958 design—which shows 50 stars in a field that included five rows of six stars and four rows of five stars—which is now our 50-star American flag (and history teacher changed his grade to an “A”!).
When Is Flag Day?
Flag Day, celebrated annually on June 14, is not an official federal holiday, but the president of the United States traditionally proclaims its observance each year. On Flag Day, many towns and cities hold parades and events to celebrate the flag, and the colors are to be flown at all government buildings.
Historical Facts About The U.S. Flag
January 1, 1776: The first United States flag, the “Grand Union,” was displayed by George Washington. It became the unofficial national flag, preceding the 13-star, 13-stripe version.
June 14, 1777: The Stars and Stripes were adopted by the Continental Congress as the Flag of the United States.
June 14, 1877: Flag Day was observed nationally for the first time on the 100th anniversary of the Stars and Stripes—and continues today.
June 14, 1937: Pennsylvania became the first state in the United States to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday.
July 4, 1960: The new 50-star flag was flown for the first time—the flag that still flies today.
Why Is The American Flag Red, White, And Blue?
The Continental Congress left no record as to why it chose these colors. However, in 1782, the Congress of the Articles of Confederation chose the colors for the Great Seal of the United States with these meanings:
•White for purity and innocence
•Red for valor and hardiness
•Blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice
Five Flag Trivia Questions
Quiz your friends and family with these five flag questions and answers:
Is it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down? Answer: Yes, but only in an emergency. It means “Help Me! It’s an emergency! Call the police! I am in dire trouble and need immediate help!”
How many versions of the American flag have been designed? There have been 27 versions of the American flag. However, the current flag—designed by a high school boy—has lasted the longest as no states have been added since 1959.
Can the flag touch the ground? Despite the myths, the flag can touch the ground and still be washed and used. However, if the flag is torn or damaged beyond repair, the tradition is to burn it with dignity. Most U.S. localities offer this service at no fee.
How many U.S. flags made it to the moon? The U.S. flag has been placed on the moon by an astronaut during six Apollo missions (11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17).
Why must Old Glory be folded in such a specific way? The U.S. flag is folded into a small triangle made of 13 folds. Each fold has a special meaning and symbolism. For example, the first fold represents life, while the third honors the veteran who has departed, and the fifth is a tribute to our country.
Celebrating Fathers On Sunday, June 15
Father’s Day in the United States is on the third Sunday of June. It celebrates the contribution that fathers and father figures make for their children’s lives.
Its origins may lie in a memorial service held for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, W.Va., in 1907.
Father’s Day is an occasion to mark and celebrate the contribution our fathers or father figures have made in our lives.
There are a range of events which may have inspired the idea of Father’s Day. One of these was the start of the Mother’s Day tradition in the first decade of the 20th century. Another was a memorial service held in 1908 for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, W. Va., in December 1907.
A woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was an influential figure in the establishment of Father’s Day. Her father raised six children by himself after the death of their mother. This was uncommon at that time, as many widowers placed their children in the care of others or quickly married again.
Sonora was inspired by the work of Anna Jarvis, who had pushed for Mother’s Day celebrations. Sonora felt that her father deserved recognition for what he had done. The first time Father’s Day was held in June was in 1910. Father’s Day was officially recognized as a holiday in 1972 by President Nixon.
Juneteenth Day
When is Juneteenth? This event is always observed on June 19.
Juneteenth day, a June 19 holiday, celebrates and symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. It was not until June 19, 1865, that all slaves were finally freed. That concluding event was when General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, with his troops and issued Order Number 3 which finally freed the last of the slaves.
The formal end of slavery was marked by the passing of the 13th Amendment of the constitution.
In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. The formal name is Juneteenth National Independence Day. It is sometimes referred to as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.
How to participate in Juneteenth – Learn more about slavery as it existed in the U.S. and the world. Learn more about the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Read it.
Today’s Quote
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools.” – Martin Luther King
Summer Solstice
Everything You Should Know About the Longest Day of the Year. Summer days are here! Summer begins with the solstice on Friday, June 20, marking the astronomical first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. What exactly IS the summer solstice? Is it really the longest day of the year? Welcome the solstice with some interesting facts and folklore.
The June Solstice – In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: The June solstice marks the astronomical start of winter when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky.)
When is the Summer Solstice? The June solstice occurs on Friday, June 20, at 10:42 p.m. EDT.
