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Friday, June 14 is Flag Day. How much do you know about this important holiday that celebrates the creation of America’s famed Stars and Stripes?
How old is Flag Day?
On June 14 some 246 years ago, Betsy Ross created the very first Stars and Stripes flag of the United States (IndyStar). Over the centuries, 27 different variations of the design have seen the light of day. Stars were added as the colonies grew into the America we know and love, giving us the 50 star design we have today. (TAKE A POLL: Is Universal Access to High-Speed Internet Essential For Economic Growth and Equality?)
What do the Stars & Stripes mean?
While most people think the stars on our flag is just representative of every state, the meaning is actually far deeper than that. Each star represents justice, perseverance, and vigilance. The red stripes represent valor, while the white represent purity and innocence. There are 13 alternating stripes, which honor the original colonies (OleanTimesHerald).
How should you display our flag?
The American flag is subject to a strict code, which includes the following direction:
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The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
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The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
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The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
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The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
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The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
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The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
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The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
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The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
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The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
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No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
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The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
Is Flag Day a federal holiday?
Unlike some of our most celebrated days in history, Flag Day is not a federal holiday. You should fully expect your mail to be delivered and to be able to go to the bank on Friday. Schools will also be open as normal. (TAKE A POLL: Will Traditional Colleges Become Obsolete Due to Online Learning?)
How do Americans celebrate Flag Day?
There are many different ways that We The People celebrate Flag Day. In Three Oaks, Michigan, the World’s Largest Flag Day Parade takes place the Sunday prior to June 14 each year. The parade is thrown to honor our flag, as well as veterans, service men and women, our great nation, and our freedom (WNDU). Parades are also held throughout the week surrounding Flag Day across many parts of the U.S. Others people prefer to hold ceremonies and other events to honor the American flag and what it represents to us.