Community Corner

Five Things You Need to Know About Flag Day

Before raising your American flag this morning, find out how the holiday came about.

1. There are multiple origin stories, some crediting Hartford, CT, resident George Morris, who suggested the holiday in 1861, while others cite Wisconsin schoolteacher Bernard J. Cigrand, who held the first formal observance of Flag Day in 1885 at the Stony Hill School in Waubeka, WI. Either way, the day was established to recognize the adoption of the American flag by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.

2. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation in 1916 establishing June 14 as Flag Day, and an Act of Congress established National Flag Day in 1949 under President Harry Truman’s administration.

3. There have been 28 different designs of the American flag since its original adoption, with the variations coming in how the stars are arranged on the blue field, called the canton. Some versions have had the stars in a circle, others in a star pattern, but most have featured the rectangular arrangement familiar to us.

Find out what's happening in Haddonfield-Haddon Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

4. Ever wonder what would happen if Puerto Rico or Washington, D.C., became states? The United States Army Institute of Heraldry–yes, there is such a place–has plans for flags with up to 56 stars. The institute also has a guide to flag etiquette on its website.

5. Not surprisingly, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia, where Ross may have created the original American flag in 1776, is the center of Flag Day celebrations in the city. A flag raising ceremony is held at 10 a.m. daily, and a re-enactor performs as Ross from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Find out what's happening in Haddonfield-Haddon Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here