WHEREAS, Over time, the flag's design evolved to keep pace
with our nation's development and growth, but its meaning as a
symbol of democracy and freedom has remained constant; and
WHEREAS, "Flag Day" was first celebrated throughout the
country in 1877; and
WHEREAS, A caring teacher who inspired a love for learning
among his students sparked a renewed interest in the flag; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin teacher B.J. Cigrand arranged for his
pupils to observe the 108th anniversary of the flag's official
adoption in 1885; and
WHEREAS, In the following years, B.J. Cigrand promoted an
official national celebration of June 14 as "Flag Birthday" or
"Flag Day" in magazine and newspaper articles and public
addresses; and
WHEREAS, Groups in Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois took
up the cause, and after three decades of state and local
celebrations, President Woodrow Wilson officially established
"Flag Day" by proclamation in 1916; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Americans looked to the purity,
hardiness, valor, vigilance, perseverance and justice
represented by the flag as ideals worthy of the ultimate
sacrifice in order to defeat tyranny; and
WHEREAS, In celebration of the flag's powerful meaning to
Americans and its place in our culture and history, "Flag Day"
became a national observance by an act of the Congress of the
United States in 1949 and signed into law by President Harry S.
Truman; and
WHEREAS, On August 3, 1949, to commemorate the adoption of
the flag of the United States, Congress, by joint resolution,
designated June 14 of each year as "Flag Day" and requested that
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