Happy Flag Day: A look at what this day means to the U.S.

Friday, June 14, is Flag Day. Time to get out your American Flag and let it fly.

But what is this day really about? Flag Day is a celebration of the American Flag that happens every year on June 14. This is the anniversary of the flag’s official adoption.

The flag became official on June 14, 1777. The Declaration of Independence made the adoption of the American flag necessary. Previously, each colony during the Revolutionary War had its own flag.

The Flag Resolution of 1777 states:

“The flag of the United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white on a blue field …”

According to the old farmer’s almanac, in 1818, new stars were added to reflect each new state that entered the union.

Each time a state was added, a star was added. Today there are 50 stars for 50 states, but the 13 stripes remain.

Flag Day is a holiday when state offices may be closed, but it is not a federal holiday.

And there are rules to flying the American Flag.

• A flag should always hang freely. Do not fasten it or tie it back.
• Do not hang it upside down unless there is an emergency.
• No other flag may be flown above or to the right of the U.S. flag, except at the United Nations Headquarters.
• Do not draw on, or mark on the flag.
• Do not let the flag touch the ground.