You're a Grand Old Flag

June 14 is the official Flag Day in the U.S. How will you celebrate it?

You're a grand old flag,

You're a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

You're the emblem of

The land I love.

The home of the free and the brave.

(words by George M. Cohen)

The general consensus is that it was George Washington and two other members of Congress asked Betsy Ross to sew the first American flag sometimes in 1776. This she did -- with 13 stars arranged in a circle. A year later, the Continental Congress officially adopted the design and this symbol is now identified with the United States around the world.

A little known fact is that President Washington originally requested a 6-pointed star. The story goes, however, that Betsy Ross showed how much easier it was to make a five-pointed one by taking a piece of paper, folding it a specific way and with a single snip of her scissors, made a symmetrical five-pointed star. Obviously, her design was agreed upon and the five-pointed star became de rigueur for the flag.

The first "official" Flag Day was celebrated in 1877, 100 years later. Then in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson called for nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14. Even though it is still not an official holiday, Flag Day was made a permanent observance in America in 1949 by Congress which designated June 14 of each year as "Flag Day." 

The flag's colors have special symbolism. Red stands for hardiness and courage, blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice and the white is for purity and innocence. Of course, the 13 stripes are for the original 13 colonies, and the 50 stars represent our 50 states.

The flag is the most prominent symbol of the United States and should be handled with care and respect. If you have a torn, battered or faded flag, dispose of it properly. The U.S. Flag Code passed in 1923 dictates that the proper method for destroying an American flag is by burning in a flag disposal ceremony. American Legions and VFWs collect flags throughout the year and have a ceremony once a year to dispose of these flags. You may drop your flag off at any of these locations. Also, some Boy Scout troops hold a flag burning ceremony for worn flags. You can contact a  local Boy Scout troop.