What does Flag Day mean to you?

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 2010, President Obama said:

More than 220 years after Old Glory was first embraced by our founders, the Stars and Stripes remain the symbol of our nation’s pride. On Flag Day and during National Flag Week, we recognize the American flag as a symbol of hope and inspiration to people at home and around the world – as a constellation which grows brighter with every achievement earned and sacrifice borne by one of our citizens.

The president also called on Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by displaying the flag. In addition, he asked them to observe the days from Flag Day through Independence Day as a time to honor America and to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities.

In the proclamation, Obama also directed 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 59th year in 2010.

The largest Flag Day parade is held annually in Troy, N.Y., which usually draws about 50,000 spectators.