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You might not think much of Flag Day, but it's actually very important. This holiday now captures the heart of every American. We're proud to have this holiday. On June 14th, the Congress planned to change the flag they had, which was the British Union Jack, to a national flag honoring just America. On the flag, there were 13 stars, which, as you might know, proudly stood for the 13 original states of the United States. Until the year of 1877, there had been sparse celebrations for the national flag, but, in that wonderful year, which was the anniversary for the 100th year of the United States Flag, you could see a flag in front of every building. However, long before this, buildings and schools had already started flying the flag beside their main entrance. New Jersey and North Dakota made a rule that the flag must be flown in front of every school. This act was made in 1890.
The first real Flag Day took part in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1893. Another state that followed was New York when it proclaimed June 14th as Flag Day in 1893. But, since Flag Day was too close to the national holiday and Memorial Day, not every state followed this act of love to the flag.
The first thought of making a day especially for honoring the flag was made in 1885. Before that, the only holiday celebrating America was the Fourth of July. One person who inspired others to observe June 14th as Flag Day (the flag's birthday) was a schoolteacher, B.J.
Cigrand to be named. There was also another teacher, George Balch who had planned activities for the children of the school he taught at on the precise date of June 13th, 1889, the day before Flag Day. After a while, his thoughts of having children observe the Flag's birthday was taken into action by the school board.
On April 15th, 1893, the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames suggested that all private citizens, mayor of Philadelphia, and others in command to fly the flag on June 14th. Colonel J. Granville Leach had suggested this. The Colonel had then went on to request that this holiday for the flag be known as 'Flag Day', and have appropriate exercises for the children of the school. Also, each student should be given a small flag representing the United States.
On May 8th, which was two weeks later, the action of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames was unanimously endorsed by the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution. The Superintendent of Public Schools, Dr. Edward Brooks, made sure that Flag Day was observed on June 14th, 1893 in Independence Square when the action was endorsed. On that day, pupils were given a spot to stand, each holding a miniature United States Flag. They sung patriotic songs and addresses were given.
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