Today Americans celebrate Flag Day. Caught between the patriotism of Memorial Day and Independence Day, we often overlook the significant role the American Flag plays in our nation. Today marks the 222nd birthday of the U.S. Flag. On the centennial of the flag s existence 1877 America celebrated its first Flag Day. Since then we ve seen a myriad of changes that have affected the flag that symbolizes freedom and hope for our nation.
Some simple facts are important to remember about the flag.
First of all, it has only been since 1949 that we ve celebrated Flag Day nationally. President Harry Truman signed legislation that year and made Flag Day a day of national observance. Secondly, after the addition of Alaska and Hawaii into the Union, President Eisenhower in August 1959 issued an Executive Order proscribing the arrangement of the stars on the flag nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically. This followed President Taft s order in June 1912 that established the proportions of the flag and provided for the arrangement of the stars. Third, it was only in 1942 that Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.