National Flag Day
June 14
About National Flag Day
National Flag Day is observed in the United States every year on 14 June, marking the anniversary of the Continental Congress’s adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official national flag on 14 June 1777. The day is a moment for Americans to reflect on the history of their flag, honour the values it represents, and display it with pride at homes, schools, and public buildings.
The Story Behind National Flag Day
The roots of National Flag Day stretch back to the weeks following the Declaration of Independence. On 14 June 1777, the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, which stated: “Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” This resolution established the basic design of the American flag during a period of revolutionary war, when a clear national symbol was both practically and symbolically important.
The movement to formally commemorate that date began in earnest in the late nineteenth century, driven largely by one man: Bernard J. Cigrand, a schoolteacher in Waubeka, Wisconsin. In 1885, Cigrand held what is widely recognised as the first formal observance of Flag Day at Stony Hill School, placing a small flag in a bottle on his desk and asking his students to write essays about what the flag meant to them. For the next three decades, Cigrand campaigned tirelessly across the country, speaking to civic groups and writing articles urging the nation to adopt an official annual Flag Day. The Chicago Tribune later credited him with having “almost singlehandedly” established the holiday, and he is now known as the “Father of Flag Day.”
Cigrand’s persistence paid off. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day across the United States. However, the day did not become an official national observance until 3 August 1949, when Congress passed legislation making National Flag Day a permanent fixture on the American calendar. Pennsylvania goes further still: it is the only state in which Flag Day carries the status of a full legal public holiday. The town of Waubeka, Wisconsin, home to Cigrand’s original school, hosts what is believed to be the longest-running Flag Day ceremony in the country, featuring a flag retirement ceremony, educational programmes, and community events each year.
The flag itself has changed significantly since 1777. The original thirteen-star design has evolved through twenty-seven official versions as new states joined the Union. The current fifty-star flag, which reflects Hawaii’s admission in 1960, has been in use longer than any previous version. It was designed by seventeen-year-old student Robert G. Heft as a school project, for which he initially received a B-minus grade before his teacher reconsidered upon learning the design had been accepted by Congress.
When and Where is National Flag Day Celebrated?
National Flag Day falls on Sunday, 14 June 2026. It is a fixed-date observance, always held on 14 June, and it coincides with the broader National Flag Week, which runs from 14 to 20 June 2026. While the day is observed nationally, it is not a federal public holiday, meaning government offices, banks, and post offices remain open. Communities across the United States mark the occasion with ceremonies, parades, and educational events, with Waubeka, Wisconsin and Quincy, Massachusetts among the towns best known for their celebrations.
Traditions and Customs
Flag Day in the United States is observed through a combination of official ceremonies and personal acts of patriotism:
- Flag display – The most common way to mark the day is to fly the American flag outside homes, businesses, and public buildings. Protocol requires the flag to be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously, and it must be illuminated if flown after dark.
- Flag retirement ceremonies – Organisations such as the Boy Scouts of America and American Legion posts hold formal ceremonies to retire flags that have become worn, faded, or damaged. The traditional method of retirement is burning, conducted with dignity and respect.
- Parades and civic events – Towns and cities across the country hold parades, colour guard presentations, and community gatherings. Schools often hold assemblies at which students recite the Pledge of Allegiance and learn about the flag’s history.
- Educational programmes – Flag Day is a natural prompt for schools and libraries to run sessions on the history of the flag, the meaning of its colours and symbols, and the Flag Resolution of 1777.
- Replacing worn flags – Many households use Flag Day as the occasion to inspect their current flag and replace any that are faded or frayed. Proper disposal of an old flag follows the same respectful protocols as any flag retirement ceremony.
Ways to Celebrate National Flag Day
Whether you are marking the occasion privately or taking part in a community event, there are meaningful ways to observe National Flag Day on 14 June 2026:
- Display your flag correctly – Fly the American flag at your home or workplace, following the US Flag Code: raise it briskly, lower it ceremoniously, and ensure it does not touch the ground or any other surface.
- Attend a local ceremony – Check what Flag Day events are taking place in your community. Many American Legion posts, VFW chapters, and civic organisations hold morning ceremonies that are open to the public.
- Learn the history – Read about Bernard Cigrand, the Flag Resolution of 1777, and the evolution of the flag’s design across its twenty-seven official versions.
- Visit a military memorial – Flag Day and the US Army’s birthday share the same date, 14 June, making it a particularly fitting moment to visit a local war memorial or military museum. Army Birthday commemorates the founding of the Continental Army in 1775.
- Teach children about the flag – Use Flag Day as an opportunity to explain to younger family members what the flag’s thirteen stripes, fifty stars, and three colours represent, and why the day is observed.
- Retire an old flag – If you have an old or worn flag, contact a local American Legion post about their flag retirement programme, or conduct a respectful private ceremony.
Facts and Figures
- The current fifty-star flag has been in use since 4 July 1960, making it the longest-serving version of the American flag in history.
- The Flag Resolution of 14 June 1777 did not specify the arrangement of the stars or the exact shade of red and blue, which is why early flags varied considerably in their design.
- Bernard J. Cigrand, the “Father of Flag Day,” reportedly wrote over 2,000 articles advocating for the establishment of the holiday during his lifetime.
- The fifty-star flag was designed by Robert G. Heft, a high school student in Lancaster, Ohio, who created it as a school project in 1958 in anticipation of Hawaii’s statehood.
- Pennsylvania is the only US state where Flag Day is a legal public holiday; across the rest of the country it is an observance only.
- The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy and has been recited at Flag Day ceremonies across the United States ever since.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Flag Day?
National Flag Day is an annual American observance held on 14 June, commemorating the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by the Continental Congress on 14 June 1777. It is a day for displaying the flag, attending civic ceremonies, and reflecting on the history and values it represents.
When is National Flag Day in 2026?
National Flag Day falls on Sunday, 14 June 2026. National Flag Week runs from 14 to 20 June 2026.
Is Flag Day a public holiday in the United States?
Flag Day is a nationally recognised observance but not a federal public holiday, so government offices and businesses remain open. Pennsylvania is the exception: it is the only state where Flag Day has the status of a legal public holiday.
Spread the Word
Share how you are marking National Flag Day using #FlagDay and #FlagDay2026 on social media. Whether you are flying your flag, attending a ceremony, or simply learning something new about its history, every act of recognition contributes to keeping this long-standing tradition alive.
Related Awareness Days
- Army Birthday – Celebrated on the same date, 14 June, this observance marks the founding of the Continental Army in 1775 and shares Flag Day’s themes of patriotism and national history.
- Juneteenth – Observed on 19 June, Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States in 1865 and is a federal public holiday reflecting on American history and freedom.
- Flag Day in Argentina – Observed on 20 June, Argentina’s national Flag Day honours the creator of the Argentine flag, Manuel Belgrano, and reflects the widespread tradition of dedicating a day to national flags.
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