(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - If you appreciate those red, white and blue flags flying around your community today, thank Bernard J. Cigrand. Today is National Flag Day, the result of Cigrand's long, dedicate journey to honor the American symbol.
On this date in 1885, the 19-year-old school teacher placed a 10-inch, 38-star flag in a bottle on his desk. He then assigned his students to write essays about the flag and its significance, according to the National Flag Day website .
He used the assignment to commemorate Congress' adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777.
Cigrand spent years trying to bring national recognition to Old Glory. Finally in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day.
The National Flag Day sites states that the official proclamation was "the crowning achievement of Cigrand's life."
In 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating the 14th day of June every year as National Flag Day. Though Flag Day is not an official federal holiday.
There are proper ways to care for and display the American Flag. According to holidayinsights.com :
•The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
•The flag should always be raised and lowered ceremoniously.
•Do not fly the flag at night without a light shining on it.
•Do not fly the flag in inclement weather.
•When flown vertically on a pole, the stars/blue section should be at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house or facility).
•Always fly the American Flag on the top of a pole with state and other flags below it.
The website also cautions against letting the American Flag touch the ground, and notes that when storing it, always fold the flag. Finally, burn or bury and old flag, do not throw it in the trash .
source: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/
