Flag Day

View of Hahns Peak from Pearl Lake - June, 2025

​The official flag was established by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. Flag Day was officially declared in 1949 by President Harry S. Truman.

The seven red and six white stripes symbolize the original thirteen colonies, and the stars the fifty states. “The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.” (PBS: The History of the American Flag)

Growing up, Flag Day was always a bit of a mystery to me. Why was it on the calendar? What did it mean? 

The flag, Old Glory, means different things to different people. But the underpinnings I believe are shared values. Freedom. Opportunity. Equality. Dignity. The sacrifice of those who’ve died under the banner of the flag. The flag is the symbol of a nation of immigrants, people who’ve been coming here for hundreds of years to seek a better life. In war time the flag could mean support, help, safety. 

But the symbol of the flag doesn’t always live up to the promise. I think of the indigenous peoples of the nation and the violence and betrayal that the flag must represent to them. I think of immigrants in current times and the violence and disappearances - surely the flag doesn’t represent freedom or safety for these people. And I think of the opportunity that is many times denied to marginalized people. There is a harsh reality underlying the original vision for what this country and its flag would mean to the people actually living here.

It is complex, this idea of the symbol of our nation. I still can’t say that I fully grasp all that is meant by Flag Day. But it is tomorrow, June 14, and it is time to emphasize the highest intentions of our flag. The American flag represents our unity as a nation, as a people. Many people have fought and died for the freedom the flag represents. The dignity with which the flag is treated, the humility of lowering to half-mast in the event of a tragedy, the exuberant pride as it flies decisively across a royal blue sky - all appeal to those qualities in ourselves. 

May we treat one another with dignity, honor, and respect. May we have pride in ourselves and our communities, maintaining the understanding that all people are inherently equal and valuable. May we, as a nation, cultivate empathy and work to resolve the problems we have in common. 

With liberty, and justice, for all. 


Sources/Learn More
PBS: The History of the American Flag
PBS: What is Flag Day?
The Fulcrum: Reclaiming the American Flag