Flag Day 2016

1918
Source: Personal Collection

Flag Facts

1. Flag Day became official in 1916 by proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson.
2. June 14 was chosen because the Second Continental Congress approved a national flag on 14 June 1777.
3. There are six American flags on the moon, planted by astronauts of Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
4. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was written by Francis Bellamy in August 1892.
5. The original pledge: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The words “under God” were added by Congressional resolution on 14 June 1954.
6. The original salute to the flag was a raised right arm. However, when Fascists and Nazis began using a similar salute in the 1930s, it became controversial in the United States.
7. Congress amended the Flag Code on 22 December 1942 and the new salute became the hand over heart that we know today.

Fly your flag proudly today!