When Olympic athletes win, they are often draped in their home country’s flag. Symbols such as flags help unite the masses, reminding individuals of a bigger purpose. The flag of the United States of America is no exception to this rule.
Today (Sunday, June 14), America celebrates the Stars and Stripes on Flag Day. Here’s everything you need to know about this observance, including how President Trump is celebrating.
Is this a federal holiday?
No. While Flag Day is a national holiday, it is not a federal one. Flag Day always falls on June 14, so depending on the year, banks can stay open and mail can get delivered. Since it is on a Sunday in 2026, those rules don’t apply.
What about Betsy Ross?
Many Americans were taught in school that Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag in 1776 when asked to do so by George Washington, Robert Morris, a Founding Father from Pennsylvania, and Col. George Ross, another Founding Father from Pennsylvania and the uncle of Betsy’s first husband, John Ross, who died in January 1776.
The truth is a bit more complicated. While it is very possible that Ross did sew the first American flag, it is interesting to note that, during her lifetime, this was not documented. It is known that she did sew flags and moved in the same social circles as Washington and Col. Ross.
What works of art and patriotism have the American flag inspired?
Regardless of Betsy Ross’s involvement, most historians agree that the original design came from Francis Hopkinson. He served as a congressman from New Jersey and signed the Declaration of Independence.
While the design has incurred small changes over the years, the ethos of it has remained the same. The 13 red and white stripes represent the original colonies. The 50 white stars on a dark blue background represent the states that make up our country.Francis Scott Key penned “The Star-Spangled Banner” after witnessing a 15-star version of the American flag survive the British bombardment of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry in 1814. The song eventually became the official U.S. national anthem in 1931.
A brief history of Flag Day
Flag Day celebrates the exact day in 1777 when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution officially establishing the banner as the American flag.The day went by largely unmarked for many years until 1885, when a Wisconsin schoolteacher decided the occasion deserved recognition. Bernard J. Cigrand accomplished this by assigning his class to write essays on what the flag meant to them. He expanded his reach by giving public lectures and publishing his own articles on the subject. The idea soon spread.In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that June 14 would henceforth be known as Flag Day. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman solidified the tradition by signing an act of Congress that officially established June 14 as National Flag Day.
How is President Trump observing Flag Day?
As this year marks America’s 250th birthday, celebrating the flag seems even more important. Think of it as a warm-up to July 4.
It is also President Trump’s 80th birthday. To celebrate, the soon-to-be octogenarian had a UFC ring called “The Claw” constructed on the South Lawn of the White House.
If the weather remains favorable, American Justin Gaethje will face Georgian Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title and Brazilian Alex Pereira will take on France’s Ciryl Gane in the heavyweight category.
Meanwhile, protesters will hold “Rise Up, Sing Out,” a star-studded political concert in New York City. Watch parties will stream nationwide.
