Flag Day

President Wilson proclaims Flag Day, June 14, 1916

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established this day — June 14 — as Flag Day. Congress followed up in 1949 by enacting a statute that officially recognized Flag Day.

Flag Day, however, is not an official federal holiday. While the statute leaves it to the president’s discretion to proclaim its observance, every president since Wilson has done so.

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag of the United States, which occurred on this day in 1777 by means of a resolution adopted by the Second Continental Congress. It also marks the birthday of the U.S. Army; Congress authorized “the American Continental Army” on June 14, 1775.

On June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday. New York designates the second Sunday in June as Flag Day and makes it a state holiday.