By Rita R. Robison
Today is Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the American flag.
As a person who loves red, white, and blue and stars and stripes, I’ve been known to have Flag Day parties.
Congress authorized a red-white-and-blue flag with stars and stripes as the official national symbol of the United States of America on June 14, 1777.
On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established by a proclamation the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777.
Although Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it wasn't until August 3, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.
In a Flag Day proclamation for 2012, President Obama said:
For over 200 years, our flag has proudly represented our nation and our ideals at home and abroad. It has billowed above monuments and memorials, flown beside the halls of government, stood watch over our oldest institutions, and graced our homes and storefronts.
The president also said that though the flag has changed to reflect the growth of the Republic, it will remain an emblem of the ideals that have inspired America: liberty, democracy, and the freedom to make of our lives what we will.
He called on Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by displaying the flag. The president also asked them to observe the days from Flag Day through Independence Day as a time to honor America and to celebrate its heritage in public gatherings and activities.
In addition, the proclamation directs federal officials to display the flag on all federal government buildings during that week.
Do you observe Flag Day? Are there Flag Day events where you live?
The longest-running Flag Day parade is held annually in Quincy, Mass., which began in 1952 and is celebrating its 61st year in 2012.
The largest Flag Day parade, with more than 4,000 participants, is held annually in Troy, N.Y. It draws about 50,000 spectators. See the video above for a look at Troy's Flag Day Parade.
