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<p><a href="flagday.htm#flagdayTOP"><img border="0" id="img27" src= "images/index_button76.gif" height="20" width="100" alt="Back To Top" onmouseover= "FP_swapImg(1,0,/*id*/'img27',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button77.gif')" onmouseout= "FP_swapImg(0,0,/*id*/'img27',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button76.gif')" onmousedown= "FP_swapImg(1,0,/*id*/'img27',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button78.gif')" onmouseup= "FP_swapImg(0,0,/*id*/'img27',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button77.gif')" fp-style="fp-btn: Braided Row 4; fp-font-style: Bold; fp-transparent: 1" fp-title= "Back To Top" /></a><a href="memorialday.htm#memorialdayTOP"></a></p> </td> <td width="603" align="center" valign="top"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="79%" height="35" bgcolor="#000080" class="style46"> <div align="left"> Fun Ideas: <span class="style57">"Holidays"</span> </div> </td> <td width="3%" align="center" bgcolor="#000080"><a href="Funideas.htm"></a><a href= "FunideasD.htm"></a></td> <td width="18%" bgcolor="#000080"><a href="FunideasF.htm"></a><a href= "holidaysdirectory.htm"><img border="0" id="img1" src="images/button5.jpg" height="26" width="130" alt="Holidays Main" onmouseover= "FP_swapImg(1,0,/*id*/'img1',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button77.jpg')" onmouseout= "FP_swapImg(0,0,/*id*/'img1',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button5.jpg')" onmousedown= "FP_swapImg(1,0,/*id*/'img1',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button78.jpg')" onmouseup= "FP_swapImg(0,0,/*id*/'img1',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button77.jpg')" fp-style="fp-btn: Jewel 3" fp-title="Holidays Main" /></a></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" height="1805" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td height="1805" align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#F5E8C9"> <table border="0"> <tr> <td></td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" height="40" border="4" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td height="32" valign="middle" bordercolor="#333333" bgcolor="#0066CC"> <div align="center" class="style168"> Holiday History - Flag Day </div> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <tr> <td height="321" valign="top" bgcolor="#666666"> <div align="center" class="style63"> <table width="98%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td width="33%" valign="middle" bgcolor="#0000CC"><img src="images/americanflag.jpg" alt= "American Flag" width="287" height="301" /></td> <td width="2%" valign="middle" bgcolor="#666666"> </td> <td width="65%" valign="top" bgcolor="#FF0000"> <div align="center" class="style174"> FLAG DAY </div> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td height="284" valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <p align="left" class="style63"><span class="style162"><strong><span class= "style191">Date:</span></strong> <span class="style63">June 14</span><br /> <br /> <span class="style272">Significance:</span></span> <span class="style63"><br /> <span class="style278">To commemorate the June 14, 1777 acceptance of the United States flag by the second continental congress.</span></span> <span class="style41"><br /> </span><br /> <span class="style274">Traditions:</span><span class="style63"><br /> <span class="style278">Flying the flag of the U.S.A.<br /> Review the symbols of the flag (colors, stars, and stripes).<br /> Consider what the flag means to you personally.<br /> Sing patriotic songs like “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.”</span></span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </td> </tr> </table><span class="style60">~~ <strong>Above</strong> : Flag of the United States - By Vanessa Fessler ~~</span><br /> <table width="100%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#000066"> <tr> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center" class="style161"> <span class="style184">~</span> <span class="style242">History of Flag Day</span> <span class="style184">~</span> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td height="1207" valign="top"> <p class="style199"><span class="style63"><span class="style161"><br /> Flag Day is a holiday that is observed on June 14th to commemorate the day that congress adopted the United States flag on June 14, 1777. It is also a day to contemplate the significance of the most cherished symbol of the United States of America, and to ponder its meaning on a personal level.</span></span></p> <p class="style199">Flag Day is an opportunity to remember the unique freedoms and values upon which the United States was founded and which through time have held the country together. In spite of the challenges and struggles faced in developing into a mature and united country, the flag has stood through all, reminding Americans of their values and giving them the courage to be a truly great nation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <span class="style281">Before the Flag</span><br /> <br /> In the early days of colonial settlement, colonists flew variations of the British Union Jack to identify themselves in league with the motherland. As time pressed on, however, increasing taxation and restrictions that were perceived as unfair by the colonists prompted the desire to raise flags that signified a detachment from British influence. New flags were created for individual colonies that professed a stand of disenchantment with Britain. As war with Britain strained the resolve of the colonies, however, a new flag was needed that represented the identity of a unified country. The need for an “American” flag was born. <br /> <br /> <br /> <span class="style281">Betsy Ross</span><br /> <br /> The United States flag is believed to have been created by Betsy Griscom Ross, although many contend that there is not sufficient conclusive evidence to validate the enduring legend. According to the story, in May of 1776, Betsy Ross was asked by a small committee of the Continental Congress consisting of George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross, to sew the first “American flag.” The flag had already been conceptualized by the committee, but Betsy Ross was recruited to sew it into a proper flag.</p> <p class="style199">According to legend, and with some substantiation of signed affidavits by relatives of Betsy Ross, George Washington consulted with her about details of the flag and how it should appear in its final form. Betsy Ross who had owned an upholstery business with her late husband had done previous work for George Washington on clothing which gave him familiarity with her work and confidence in her ability to produce a flag. Once the design was agreed upon by Betsy Ross and the committee, she was commissioned to produce the flag for presentation to congress for approval. </p> <p class="style199">When completed, the flag was hoisted for a test of its appearance with the acclaim of the committee and those who stood by. The committee, satisfied with the flag’s presentation, took the flag before congress where it was met with unanimous approval. Betsy Ross’ flag was a grand representation of the United States and was ready to stand as a permanent symbol of the country. On Saturday June 14, 1777 the flag was officially adopted by the Second Continental Congress.<br /> <br /> <span class="style284"><br /> How Flag Day Began</span><br /> <br /> The origin of the Flag Day holiday is based on different stories that each may have been of legitimate influence.</p> <p class="style199"><span class="style286">George Morris (1861)</span><br /> The first is the tale of George Morris who lived in Hartford, Connecticut in 1861. This story which was published by the Standard Publishing Company in 1912 reports that George Morris is credited for the suggestion of a “Flag Day,” which lead to the City of Hartford observing an occasion on June 14, 1861 in respect to the original adoption of the flag by congress in 1777.</p> <p class="style199"><span class="style288">Bernard J. Cigrand (1894)</span><br /> A second story involved a schoolteacher named Bernard J. Cigrand. It is claimed that he was profoundly influenced by the importance of the adoption of the United States flag by congress. He expressed his belief to students and others that the anniversary of the flag’s acceptance should be observed and celebrated. He wrote an article on the subject which was published in the Chicago <em>Argus</em> newspaper which lead to a large celebration in Chicago in 1894.</p> <p class="style199"><span class="style288">William T. Kerr (1888)</span><br /> A third story describes the effort of William T. Kerr, who established the American Flag Day Association of Western Pennsylvania in the year 1888. He was the chairman of the organization for many years and was in attendance when President Harry Truman signed the act of congress that made flag day a national holiday in 1949.<br /> <br /> <br /> <span class="style281">Symbols of the Flag</span><br /> <br /> Understanding the symbols of the United States flag can help one to gain a greater appreciation for the banner that has represented American ideals for more than two centuries and a deeper respect for the Flag Day holiday.</p> <p class="style199">The flag of the United States is composed of thirteen horizontal stripes and a rectangular blue field in the upper corner closest to the pole mounts. In addition to the thirteen stripes, fifty white stars adorn the current flag in the blue field.</p> <p class="style199">The stars and stripes were both representative of the thirteen colonies on the early flags of the United States. As additional states joined the Union, more space was required on the flag for additional stars and stripes to represent their territories. As stripes were added to the flag it became clear that the effect would irreparably alter the appearance of the flag. In 1816 the decision was made to return the flag to its original thirteen stripes, but to add stars in the blue field for each state added to the Union. At present, fifty stars representing the fifty states, adorn the blue “constellation” on the United States flag.</p> <p class="style199">A description of the symbols of the flag of the United States is as follows:</p> <table width="90%" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" bordercolor= "#990000"> <tr> <td bgcolor="#000099"> <div align="center" class="style292"> <span class="style161">Flag Item</span> </div> </td> <td bgcolor="#000099"> <div align="center" class="style293"> <span class="style294">Symbolizes</span> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <strong><span class="style199">Stars</span></strong> </div> </td> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <span class="style199">States of the Union</span> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <strong><span class="style199">13 Stripes</span></strong> </div> </td> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <span class="style199">The Original 13 Colonies</span> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <strong><span class="style199">Red</span></strong> </div> </td> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <span class="style199">Hardiness and Valor</span> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <strong><span class="style199">White</span></strong> </div> </td> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <span class="style199">Purity and Innocence</span> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <strong><span class="style199">Blue</span></strong> </div> </td> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="center"> <span class="style199">Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice</span> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <p class="style199"><br /></p><span class="style296">Interesting Facts about the Flag and Flag Day<br /> <br /></span><br /> <table width="90%" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="34%" valign="top" bgcolor="#000099"> <p class="style304"><br /> Nicknames of the flag:</p> <p class="style305">* * * * * * *</p> </td> <td width="66%" bgcolor="#FF0000"> <p class="style304">"Old Glory"<br /> "The Star-Spangled Banner"<br /> "The Stars and Stripes"<br /> "The Red White and Blue"</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><span class="style309">The original flag accepted by congress in 1777 had thirteen stars arranged in a circle on the blue field.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FF0000"><span class="style311">Although the stripes remained constant in layout, the stars were arranged in a variety of patterns on early American flags.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><span class="style309">In 1795, Vermont and Kentucky entered the Union with 15 stars and 15 stripes on their flags.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FF0000"><span class="style311">Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814. In 1931 this composition became the national anthem.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><span class="style309">Flag Day is a Federal Observance not a Federal Holiday, so unfortunately you may not get the day off of work.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FF0000"><span class="style311">The pledge of allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and published in a magazine for children called “The Youth’s Companion.”</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><span class="style309">In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day as a day of celebration.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FF0000"><span class="style311">President Harry Truman signed an act of congress in 1949 to make Flag Day a national holiday (a federal observance).</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><span class="style309">In 1969, Neil Armstrong placed an American flag on the moon.</span></td> </tr> </table> <p class="style199"> </p> <p class="style296">Traditions</p> <p class="style199">Flying the flag of the United States<br /> <br /> Review the symbols of the flag (colors, stars, and stripes)<br /> <br /> Consider what the flag means to you personally.<br /> <br /> Sing patriotic songs like “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful”</p> <p class="style199"><br /> Mark your calendar for June 14th—the big day for the United States flag. Make Flag Day an important celebration to you and your family. Raise a flag in tribute to the day in 1777 when separate colonies united under one banner. Remember the symbols of the flag as it waves overhead, and the importance of honoring what it stands for. Consider what this great symbol of American freedom means on this special day of celebration.</p> <p><span class="style63"><br /> <br /> <br /> Article By Wes Fessler</span></p> <hr /> <p class="style199"> </p> <p class="style277">Sources:</p> <p class="style277">1. ushistory.org, “Betsy Ross: Her Life”<br /> http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flaglife.html [Accessed 24 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">2. ushistory.org, “Betsy Ross and the American Flag”<br /> http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagtale.html [Accessed 24 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">3. ushistory.org, “Affidavits”<br /> http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagaffs.html, [Accessed 24 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">4. en.wikipedia.org, “Pledge of Allegiance”<br /> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance [Accessed 24 July 2007] </p> <p class="style277">5. Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia, “Flag of the United States”<br /> ISBN 0-8343-0051-6, Volume 10, p. 240-243</p> <p class="style277">6. nationalflagday.com, “History”<br /> http://www.nationalflagday.com/history.asp, [Accessed 23 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">7. stockholm.usembassy.gov, “The History of Flag Day”<br /> http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/usflag/flag_day.html [Accessed 23 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">8. en.wikipedia.org, “Flag Day in the United States”<br /> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Day_in_the_United_States [Accessed 23 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">9. goodneighboring.org, “Flag Facts”<br /> http://www.goodneighboring.org/americanflag.html [Accessed 24 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">10. Phillips, Adam, voanews.com, <br /> “On Flag Day, Americans Ponder Significance of National Banner”<br /> http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-06/2006-06-13-voa46?CFID=106357087&CFTOKEN=29831098<br /> [Accessed 24 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">11. americanfamilytraditions.com, “The American Flag”<br /> http://www.americanfamilytraditions.com/The_Flag.htm [Accessed 24 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">12. tooter4kids.com, “Flags Facts and Timeline”<br /> http://www.tooter4kids.com/ourflag/flag_timeline.htm [Accessed 24 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">13. ushistory.org, “Flag Timeline”<br /> http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html [Accessed 24 July 2007]</p> <p class="style277">14. en.wikipedia.org, “Public Holidays of the United States”<br /> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holidays_of_the_United_States [Accessed 24 July 2007]</p> <p><span class="style63"><br /></span></p> </td> </tr> </table> <h1 align="center" class="style63">Article is Copyright of Family Fun Shop © 2007 All rights reserved.</h1> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="751" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td width="33" height="32" bgcolor="#000066"> </td> <td width="553" bgcolor="#000066"> <p align="center" class="style313">Holiday History: Flag Day</p> </td> <td width="2" bgcolor="#000066"> </td> <td width="131" bgcolor="#000066"><a href="holidaysdirectory.htm"><img border="0" id= "img1" src="images/button5.jpg" height="26" width="130" alt="Holidays Main" onmouseover= "FP_swapImg(1,0,/*id*/'img1',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button77.jpg')" onmouseout= "FP_swapImg(0,0,/*id*/'img1',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button5.jpg')" onmousedown= "FP_swapImg(1,0,/*id*/'img1',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button78.jpg')" onmouseup= "FP_swapImg(0,0,/*id*/'img1',/*url*/'file:///C:/Website%20Versions/First%20Release/button77.jpg')" fp-style="fp-btn: Jewel 3" fp-title="Holidays Main" /></a><a href= "Funideas.htm"></a><a href="holidaysdirectory.htm"></a><a href="Funideas.htm"></a></td> </tr> </table> <table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="738" height="254" align="center" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="8"> <tr> <td height="212" colspan="2" align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div align="left"> <table width="90%" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td height="25" colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div align="left"><span class="style308"><span class="style319">Family Fun Shop Guide</span> - 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