Benefits Alert Volume 527 | June 10, 2022

“Since adoption of the Stars and Stripes, Americans — and people around the world — have continuously looked to our flag as a symbol of unity and liberty,” wrote President Biden last year on Flag Day. Like every year since 1916, the United States will celebrate the nation’s flag on June 14. Though Flag Day is not a federal holiday, it’s a day of observance and patriotism and coincides with the Army’s birthday.

The date is symbolic because on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” Thirteen was the number of states at the time. Francis Hopkinson, a delegate from New Jersey who signed the Declaration of Independence, designed the flag and Philadelphia seamstress Betsey Ross created the first one at George Washington’s request. There have been twenty-six official versions of the flag since then, with our current version dating back to 1960 after Hawaii joined the union.

We hope you enjoy today’s cover story on the history of Flag Day, which is next Tuesday, June 14. Similar to other nations that designate a day to celebrate their flag, ours in the United States reflects our unique history. And it’s an exciting one!

Here’s my personal flag story: As a student at Gettysburg College, I was a dorm counselor and lived in “Old Dorm” (now, the main administrative building of the College), which served as a hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. The flag as it existed at the time of the battle, contained 34 stars. Today, it flies from the cupola at the very top of the building. As I understand it, it is one of the few public places in the United States that is permitted to fly the flag at all times; it is never taken down, except every few years to replace one that has worn out. This event took place just before my graduation when the college replaced the old flag that had become tattered with a “new” one. I was there as the flags were switched and asked if I could take the tattered flag. Permission was granted! And I proudly display this historic flag on my office wall today.