National Flag Week

Beginning on June 14, we celebrate National Flag Week in this country. Our flag has 50 stars to represent our 50 states.

But when the flag was first created, it resembled the British flag, and our Founders wanted the flag to make a statement about our independence and our freedom:

Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a naval flag designer, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence took it upon himself to design a new flag. So, on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that the flag of the United States of America will have 13 stripes, alternating in red and white, while the union of the states would be depicted by 13 stars in a blue field, representing a new constellation. In 1960, the 50-star flag came into being and this is the version of the flag that we see today. On July 4, 2006, it became the longest version of the flag in use.

Unlike other national holidays, National Flag Week is not a standing holiday. Thus, presidents are required to make a formal proclamation at the beginning of the week of June 14 to declare it a national holiday. He or she also encourages everyone—government offices, businesses, and residents—to display the flag to honor this auspicious occasion.

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In my childhood, my parents didn’t fly a flag; I don’t think it occurred to them to do so. Spending the money to purchase a flag, never mind putting one up, wasn’t a priority back then.

But over the years, my husband and I have recognized our love for this country. We look for opportunities to express our allegiance, and even fondness, for being part of this amazing experiment. So, we put up our flag with a floodlight so that we may fly it at night, and often leave it up for additional days. I’m always moved by its presence.

So, starting today we will be flying our flag.