Flag Day 2012: Peekskill Seniors Hold Tribute Ceremony

Flag Day, observed on June 14, commemorates the adoption of the American Flag. Members of the Peekskill Seniors n honor of the holiday. The Cortlandt Veterans Committee and town officials are holding a rally at the Montrose VA, purposely scheduled today, to honor the holiday. 

According to a booklet given out by the Yorktown Elks Club at their Flag Day ceremony last weekend, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks was the first fraternal organization to observe Flag Day. The President of the United States is authorized to issue a proclamation annually calling upon officials to display the flag on all government buildings on June 14. 

"Our flag is more than just a piece of cloth flown from a staff or halyard," the booklet read. "Our flag is the symbol that stands for a nation's basic ideas and purposes."

What is the story behind Flag Day? To help you celebrate your stars and stripes, check out these Flag Day facts.

Timeline of Flag Day

June 14, 1777 – Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the U.S.

June 14, 1885 – Bernard J. Cigrand, a Wisconsin teacher, placed a 10-inch, 38-star flag in a bottle on his desk and assigned essays on the flag and its significance.

June 14, 1891 – The Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia hosts a Flag Day celebration.

May 30, 1916 – President Woodrow Wilson issues a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of Flag Day.

Aug. 3, 1949 – President Harry Truman signs an Act Of Congress designating the 14th day of June every year as National Flag Day. 

June 14, 2004 – The 108th U.S. Congress votes unanimously on H.R. 662 that Flag Day originated in Ozaukee County, WI.

Timeline facts courtesy of NationalFlagDay.com and USFlag.org.

Red, White and Blue Meaning

• The stripes represent the 13 original colonies.
• The 50 stars represent the number of states.
• The colors of the flag have meaning as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor; White symbolizes Purity and Innocence; Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

Meaning courtesy of PBS America Responds and .

Proper Display

• The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary poles outside. 
• If the flag is displayed at night it should be illuminated. The flag is usually lowered at night. 
• Never allow the flag to touch the ground or the floor.
• When displayed on a wall or window the union (stars) should be in the upper left corner.
• The flag should be raised quickly and lowered ceremoniously.
• The flag is often flown at half-staff to show respect for someone who has died. When flown at half-staff, the flag should be raised to the top for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should also be raised to the top before it is lowered at the end of the day.

Proper Display courtesy of  and PBS America Responds.