The Flag exemplifies America's profound commitment to freedom, equality, and opportunity. Our flag embodies our American ideals, American history, and the American spirit. Simple in design, yet powerful in its effect, our Flag's stars and stripes have long inspired our people to achievements far beyond their abilities, and illustrated to the world our commitment to core values of liberty and freedom. Beginning with the Colonies, and coming down to our time, in its sacred heraldry, in its glorious insignia, it has gathered and stored chiefly this supreme idea: the divine right of liberty in every individual.

Today, the American Flag graces classrooms, statehouses, courtrooms, and churches across the country, serving as a daily reminder of our Nation's past accomplishments and our ongoing dedication to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It marks our triumphs, such as the moon landing, and our sorrows--draped on the tombs of our distinguished dead. The Flag acts as a common ground, a badge of honor to all Americans.

During National Flag Week, and especially on Flag Day, let us remember the significance of our Flag. Its 13 red and white stripes represent not only the original colonies, but also the courage and purity of our Nation. Its 50 stars represent the separate but united States of our union.

On June 14th 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag. The Stars and Stripes first flew on a Flag Day celebration in Hartford, Connecticut in 1861, the first summer of the Civil War. The first national observance of Flag Day came on June 14, 1877, the centennial of the original flag resolution. In the decades that followed, many individuals and organizations, pressed to have Flag Day observed regularly. In 1949, the Congress, by joint resolution, designated June 14th as "Flag Day," in commemoration of the initial adoption of our Flag by the Second Continental Congress. Several years later, in 1966, the Congress also requested the President to issue an annual proclamation designating the week in which June 14th falls as "National Flag Week."

One practice that has become a normal part of Flag Day is the "Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance." This year Americans from all across the country will pause for a moment on June 14th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to simultaneously say the thirty-one words of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. This simple ceremony is recognized by Congress as part of National Flag Day ceremonies.

Information for your Celebration

National Flag Day - June 14th

National Flag Week - Week of June 10 - June 16, 2002

The Pledge of Allegiance:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The Star-Spangled Banner
The National Anthem:

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our Flag was still there.
Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free, and home of the brave?

Credit:
Excerpts from speeches by the following:

THE REHALL REPORT - News and Views from Capitol Hill
Celebrate Our Flag
http://www.house.gov/rahall/rpt_060500.htm

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE MIKE DOYLE (PA-18)
In Honor of Flag Day
http://www.house.gov/doyle/statements/pss.97.flagday.htm

Compilation by National Business Association Editor - Robert Oleson

Related Information:

NBA Resource Article - Flag Etiquette

NBA "Our Services" - Political Updates

NBA "Our Services" - Useful Resources