How Flag Day is Celebrated around the World
Flag Day is a day set aside by a country to celebrate that country’s flag, the day the country’s flag was adopted, or some over event significant to the country’s history. Flag Day is usually adopted in the national statutes, but it can also come about due to decree or proclamation by a head of state, or as dictated by local custom. Many of the countries around the world celebrate a flag day. Though each country has unique celebrations, they all celebrate for the same basic reason – to commemorate the national flag.
United States
Date: June 14
Reason: adoption of the US Flag in 1777
Flag Day in the USA is not as important or as widely observed as holidays like Memorial Day or Independence Day. It is also not an official federal holiday but was established in the federal statutes by an Act of Congress in 1949. Typical celebrations include parades, the oldest of which is held annually in Fairfield, Washington and celebrated its centennial in 2010. The largest parade is held in Troy, New York drawing around 50,000 spectators every year. In Philadelphia, official Flag Day events occur at the Betsy Ross House. The National Flag Day Foundation observes Flag Day on the second Sunday of June rather than on June 14. Events include a ceremonial raising of the flag, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem, a parade and many other events. Interestingly, Flag Day draws counter-celebrations by some Native American and Native Hawaiian organizations who protest the imposition of the US flag on the tribes and indigenous people who already had their own flags and customs prior to 1777.
Canada
Date: February 15
Reason: inauguration of the Flag of Canada in 1965
The Maple Leaf Flag replaced he Canada Red Ensign which had been in use since 1868. The resolution for the new flag was passed in 1964 and was proclaimed by Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada in 1965. National Flag of Canada Day was instituted in 1996. The day is celebrated by flying the flag, some public ceremonies, and educational programs in schools. As in the US, National Flag of Canada Day is not an official holiday.
There is a second flag day observed in Canada as well, more specifically in Quebec. Quebec’s Flag Day on January 21 commemorates the adoption of Quebec’s Fleurdelise as the province’s official flag in 1948. It was the first provincial flag officially adopted by Canada. The day is observed with parades and by flying the flag.
England
Date: April 23
Reason: death of England’s patron saint, St. George
England does not have a flag day. In England the flag is flown on government buildings only on specific days, most commonly the birthdays of the Royal Family, and on St. George’s Day. Though these restrictions have been relaxed since 2007 and government buildings are now allowed to fly the flag daily, this easing of restrictions has not been officially proclaimed. St. George’s Day is not very well-known, with only one in five Englishmen knowing when the date actually is. The official observance of the day calls for wearing a red rose in the buttonhole.
Australia
Date: September 3
Reason: the day the Australian National Flag was first flown in 1901
The Australian National Flag was adopted and first flown in 1901 following a worldwide contest for a flag design. The movement for a national flag day began in 1984 and the official proclamation in 1996, though as in other countries Australian National Flag Day is not a national holiday. Many cities observe the day with a ceremonial flag-raising. Ceremonies are held in schools and major cities, and government officials attend ceremonies and release statements to the media.
Denmark
Date: June 15
Reason: commemorates the Battle of Valdemar
The Danish flag, called Dannebrog, is the oldest national flag still in use in the world today. It dates back to the 14th century. Dannebrog is flown on special occasions, one of those being June 15 commemorating a significant battle in Denmark’s history. Legend says the flag fell from the sky during this battle in 1219 and motivated the Danish troops to victory. Though the battle is real, it is unlikely the flag actually fell from the sky. All the same, it is a story Danes love to recount.
The Danes have a second national flag day now, which has been celebrated twice – in 2009 and 2010. The national flag day for Denmark’s deployed personnel is celebrated on September 5. It began as a memorial service in Holmes Kirke to commemorate fallen soldiers followed by a parade in front of Christiansborg Slot (the Parliament) and a reception for those deployed during the year. Towns and cities around the country held similar celebrations.
India
Date: December 7
Reason: to honor the soldiers, airmen and sailors of India
Armed Forces Flag Day or Flag Day of India is a day with an unusual history. First celebrated in 1949, the holiday was not adopted to commemorate the flag or a significant battle. Rather, it was begun soon after India gained its independence as a way to collect donations to support the Indian Armed Forces and their families. Small Indian flags or flags in red, deep blue and light blue (for the three branches of the military) were given away to citizens and donations were solicited. That tradition continues today. The day is observed for three main reasons – 1) for the welfare of military personnel and their families, 2) for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families, and 3) for the rehabilitation of servicemen who have been injured in battle. The three branches of the military coordinate a number of shows, carnivals and entertainment events on this day. The events are designed to showcase to the general public the efforts put in to national security. The red, dark blue and light blue flags are flown around the country.
Sweden
Date: June 6
Reason: commemorate the Swedish flag
What is today National Day of Sweden was once called Swedish Flag Day. Though it was not an official holiday until 2005, celebrating the Swedish flag on June 6 is a tradition that dates back to 1916. No one knows for sure how old the Swedish flag is though representations of the flag date back to the 16th century. Modern celebrations of National Day include the Royal Family who take part in a ceremony in Stockholm’s open-air museum, Skansen. The Swedish flag is ceremoniously raised and children dressed in peasant costumes present bouquets of flowers to the royal couple. Cities throughout Sweden also hold special ceremonies to welcome new Swedish citizens.
Mexico
Date: February 24
Reason: pledge allegiance to the Mexican flag
Dia de la Bandera was first established in 1937 by Mexican President General Lazaro Cardenas in front of a monument to General Vicente Guerrero. General Guerrero was the first person to pledge allegiance to the Mexican flag on March 12, 1821. On Dia de la Bandera the Pledge is recited while saluting the flag in a Bellamy Salute, the right arm held across the chest with the palm parallel to the ground. Special radio and TV programs explain the history and meaning of the Mexican flag, in part “Green is for hope and victory. White is for the purity of our ideals. Red is for the blood our national heroes shed.” Special events held on this day include a race to the summit of Cerro de la Bandera (Flag Hill) where the flag is hoisted. The race is open to anyone adventurous enough to participate. In the evening, a large party is held in Plaza Mijares, the main town square of San Jose del Cabo.
Other countries with Flag Days include Italy on January 7 with its Festa de Tricolore (Festival of the Tricolor) to commemorate the adoption of Italy’s flag in 1797, Israel on January 16 with Magen David Day to honor the adoption of its flag, Scotland on November 30 with St. Andrew’s Day (National Day of Scotland honoring Scotland’s patron saint), Brazil on November 19 with Flag Day of Brazil to commemorate the adoption of Brazil’s flag in 1889, Greece on October 27 with imera tis simera (Day of the Flag), Phillipines on May 28 to commemorate the first time the flag was carried into battle during the Phillipine Revolution in 1898, and the Russian Federation on August 22 in honor of raising the flag of the modern design over the Russian Supreme Soviet building in 1991 after a failed coup d’etat.
