Happy Flag Day!
Today we celebrate the Stars and Stripes and the ideals of freedom, courage, and unity they represent. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, declaring that the flag of the United States would feature thirteen red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field, representing a new constellation of states. More than a century later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day in 1916, and in 1949 Congress officially designated it as a national observance.
Flag Day also marks the birthday of the U.S. Army. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress established the Continental Army, laying the foundation for the military that would help secure American independence. While the exact designer of the first American flag remains a mystery, both Betsy Ross and Francis Hopkinson are closely tied to its history. Today, we honor the flag that has flown over generations of Americans and remember those who have served, sacrificed, and defended the freedoms we enjoy.
