Flag Day is a celebration of the American flag that occurs each year on the anniversary of the flag’s official adoption, June 14.
The United States flag represents our identity as a sovereign nation. Known as the Stars and Stripes, the flag was adopted by the Continental Congress as the official national flag on June 14, 1777. This was two years into the American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783.
The 2024 Old Farmer’s Almanac says that during the War of Independence, Colonial troops charged into battle against British forces carrying many different flags that contained a variety of symbols, including rattlesnakes, pine trees and eagles. Slogans read: Don’t Tread on Me (the Gadsden flag), Liberty or Death (the Troutman flag), and Conquer or Die (the Massachusetts “Vince aut Morire” flag).
In June 1942, Congress passed a resolution, amended six months later, that laid out the flag code. This is a U.S. federal law.
The flag is a symbol of respect, honor, and patriotism. The Almanac says it should be displayed from sunrise to sunset, and at night only if illuminated. The flag should not be displayed during inclement weather.
Flags are to be displayed at every public institution, in or near every polling place on election days, and at school buildings during school days.
Flags must be flown at half-staff on the death of the U.S. president or a former president, vice president, chief justice of the Supreme Court, or speaker of the House of Representatives. Also, for an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, and the majority and minority leader of the House of Representatives.
The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.