Origins of Flag Day
The idea of setting aside a day specifically for celebrating the flag was originally conceived by BJ Cigrand. In 1885 Cigrand, a schoolteacher in Fredonia, Wisconsin, put together an observance for the students of his school district concerning the origins of the flag on June 14, which was the 108th anniversary of the Flag’s adoption. Cigrand, a staunch patriot, spent many years writing article for magazines and newspapers advocating adopting June 14th as a day of celebration for the flag.
Cigrand wasn’t alone in his enthusiasm for a day honoring the Flag. Four years later George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City planned observances as well on June 14th of 1889 for the children of his school. A few years later he convinced the New York State Board of Education to make a Flag Day celebration state wide for school children.
Several groups and societies associated with the Revolutionary War joined the cause: the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia, the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution, and the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America. Cigrand, however, was the first and was no less ardent then the rest. Due to the efforts of Cigrand and the many organizations and individuals that followed his lead, Flag Day came to be celebrated by whole school districts in many states and ceremonies where held for adults as well. Secretary Lane of the Department of the Interior gave a 1914 address in which he spoke for the flag giving it credit for the follow:
“I am what you make me, nothing more. I am your belief in yourself, your dream of what a people may become.... I am the clutch of an idea, and the reasoned purpose of resolution. I am no more than you believe me to be and I am all that you believe I can be. I am whatever you make me, nothing more.”
After more then 30 years of state and local celebrations, President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th 1916 issued an official Proclamation establishing June 14th as the official Flag Day. It didn’t become a National Holiday until Aug. 3, 1949 when President Truman signed an Act of Congress which designated each June 14th as a National Flag Day.
Due to the fact that most children are out of school for the year by June 14th and Flag Day’s proximity to both Memorial Day and Independence Day, Flag Day doesn’t get the attention it used to. It’s pretty much just a day to be sure and fly the flag. For many the unique origins of our country are unknown and so the flag doesn’t have the same meaning it used to. To BJ Cigrand, the son of Luxemburg immigrants, this would be saddening but at least he can rest knowing he did his part to honor the flag of his country.
