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, As so often happens in our communities, a caring
teacher encouraging students to develop a love for learning was
the person who sparked renewed interest in the flag; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin school teacher B.J. Cigrand arranged for
his pupils in 1885 to observe the 108th anniversary of the
flag's official adoption; and
WHEREAS, In magazine and newspaper articles and public
addresses in the following years, Cigrand promoted an official
national celebration of June 14 as Flag Birthday or Flag Day;
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 Congress in 1949 and
signed into law by President Harry S. Truman; and
WHEREAS, On August 3, 1949, to commemorate the adoption of
the United States flag, Congress, by joint resolution,
designated June 14 of each year as Flag Day and requested the
20170SR0144PN0962 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30