Citizens of the United States are quite familiar with the Forth of July being the holiday in which the birth of America is celebrated. It is a day to appreciate America and all that is has to offer. It is not the only day to celebrate American; as Flag Day is also an American holiday. The idea of having a day to celebrate just the America flag itself was originated in the year 1885 and has been followed ever since. In Fredonia, Wisconsin, a school teacher named B.J. Cigrand was determined to have his students celebrate the flag. He chose the day of June 14. His reason for doing so was because it was the 108th anniversary of when the official flag was chosen. His suggestion began the annual celebration of the American flag, locally. However, word would soon spread.

Later, in the year 1889, on June 14, another teacher by the name of George Balch of New York City, decided that it would be appropriate to have the children of his school observe this day and have proper ceremonies. The State Board of Education voted to incorporate this day as an official holiday. In the year 1891, the Betsy Ross House, located in Philadelphia, had its first Flag Day celebration. In the year1892, the New York Society of the Sons for the Revolution also recognized this holiday.

In 1893, the Pennsylvania Society of Colonel Dames of America requested that the mayor of Philadelphia and all others that had authority to display the American flag on this special day. A man by the name of Colonel J. Granveill Leach, who was a historian at the Pennsylvanian Society of the Sons of the Revolution, asked that all recognized June 14 as being Flag Day and celebrate the day with honor. He had many ideas. One of his thoughts was to give every child that was in school small American flag.


Only a couple of weeks later, the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution, agreed to do so. Later that same year, in 1893, school children were indeed given small American flags, sung songs that reflected their way of thinking of patriotism and finally Flag Day was getting noticed. More and more people began to realize that Flag Day was indeed an important day.

Growing ever more popular, one year later, in 1894 the New York governor instructed that on Flag Day, all public buildings would fly the American flag. An organization was then fashioned to publicize and promote Flag Day activities and events; this organization was named the American National Flag Day Association. That same year, over three hundred thousand school children held their flags high in celebration. It was a grand event.

This holiday is not just for children, as adults aim to participate as well. Flag Day’s popularity had steadily grown; finally in 1949 former President Truman signed an official Act of Congress that made this day become a national holiday. Since that time, citizens of the United States will use this day to fly their flags with honor and use this day to remember the long and interesting history of their country.