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Flag Day: More Than Just a Tribute

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Bob Kamholz
Washington, D.C. --  The American Flag is one of the world's most recognized symbols. On Flag Day, we pause to honor the standard of our republic and the freedoms we, as Americans, enjoy every day. It is also the day we celebrate the formation of the United States Army.

June 14 marks the adoption of the flag of the United States of America in 1777 by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress. This was the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white' that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

Thirty-seven years later, in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the words to "The Star Spangled Banner" after witnessing Old Glory still flying over Fort McHenry after a heavy, overnight bombardment during a fierce battle with the British.

By 1818, Congress decided the number of stripes would remain at 13 to honor the original colonies; and, from that point forward, new stars would be added every Independence Day for each new state to join the union.

Almost 100 years later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring June 14 as Flag Day.

It was not until 1931 that an Act of Congress made the Star Spangled Banner our national anthem and it took until 1949 for Congress to pass legislation making Flag Day a national but not federal holiday.

The day also holds great significance for the U.S. military as it is the birthday of the U.S. Army. Formed on June 14, 1775 when Congress authorized the enlistment of soldiers to fight the British in what would eventually become the Continental Army. 

Produced in cooperation with Air Force Television, the Singing Sergeants present a moving video featuring our national anthem as we reflect on the history of our great flag and celebrate the birth of the U.S. Army.

USAF Singing Sergeants - The National Anthem