June 14, 2014
Bizarre, Crazy, Silly, Unknown Holidays & Observances
Stone= Pearl Flower= Rose
*Army's Birthday
Dollars Against Diabetes Day(s)
*Family History Day
*Flag Day
International Young Eagles Day
*National Bourbon Day
*Pause for the Pledge Day
*(World) Blood Donor Day
World Juggling Day
Worldwide Knit (and crotchet) in Public Day
Queen's Official Birthday
*Magic Circles Day
Missing Mutts Awareness Day
History of Flag Day June 14.
Going back to the American Revolution, rebels each fought under their own individual flags (or colonies or local militia). The first real national flag was referred to as the "Grand Union Flag" and first flown on New Year's Day in 1776 to celebrate the Continental Army's formation. It had 13 stripes, of red and white that represented the 13 original colonies. It also had a square with crosses of St. George and St. Andrew to represent Great Britain, and with some was a hope that the colonies could reconcile with England.
The Continental Congress didn't really adopt an official design for a national flag until June 14, 1777, approximately 11 months after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Tradition says that Betsy Ross is credited with making the original 13 stars and 13 stripes banner.
But there are several contradictory theories to this.
Some also claim that John Paul Jones (American Naval Hero) and Francis Hopkinson (one signer of the Declaration of Independence) are attributed to our flags creation. When Kentucky and Vermont were admitted to the Union in 1794, there were 15 stars and stripes. But in 1818 Congress voted to restore the flag to its original 13 stripes and just add a new star for each new state. If they kept adding stripes for states, imagine just how large this flag would be!!
In 1959, Alaska and Hawaii were the 49th and 50th states to be added.
The first Flag Day celebration didn't take place until June 14, 1861, almost 100 years after it's original design was adopted. William T. Kerr ( lived in Pittsburg, PA) is recognized as the person who created Flag Day. He began his efforts as a schoolboy and continued through adulthood. He lobbied government and did everything to bring Flag Day to the American public's attention.
President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed June 14 as "Flag Day" in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge issued a similar proclamation in 1927. But, you know how SLOW the government is? It didn't really officially become a holiday until President Harry Truman said so in 1949.
Pennsylvania is the only state that observes "Flag Day" as a legal holiday. All other states acknowledge its importance by displaying the flags on homes, and public places. Businesses and churches are optional. Other ways "Flag Day" is observed is through flag raising ceremonies, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance (written by James B. Upham and Francis Bellamy in 1892), and singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" or other patriotic songs.
Many schools hold programs with the purpose of instilling American pride in the flag and in our country because the flag was so mistreated and disrespected during 1964 to 1975 which was the Viet Nam era when flag-burning was a common expression of resentment to the war.
Some people resent the commercialization of our flag on products. To those who don't and who feel wearing a flag design displays patriotic pride in America, I give a link to the website that sells flag-design items and other government-style items on our Patriotic (main) page towards the center of that page.
It was on June 14, 1777 that the Continental Congress replaced the British symbols of the Grand Union flag with the new design that featured the 13 white stars in a circle on a filed of blue. And, then 13 red and white stripes. This flag is claimed to be made by Philadelphia seamstress, Betsy Ross. But there is no real proof. The stars represented the constellation of the State rising in the West. The blue background stood for the virtues of vigilance, perseverance and justice. The stars were in a circle to represent the the perpetuity of the Union. The 13 stripes stood for the 13 original colonies. The color red symbolized the newly formed country's defiance and daring. The white symbolized purity and liberty.
The American flag is considered a symbol of patriotism and dedication to American ideals. It is one of the oldest national emblems -- even older than Great Britain's Union Jack. The flag's appearance has been changed 26 times throughout history. This was done usually to accommodate adding new states. The Easton Area Public Library has (claims) the very first "Stars and Stripes" predating Betsy Ross' flag and others by a year. They say it was first displayed on July 8, 1776 during a public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Easton. And, that it was made by a group of women from Easton (not one woman!). This flag is 8 feet long and 4 feet wide.
Flag Day is also a time to teach about flag etiquette. The flay should only be allowed to fly after sunrise and taken down before sunset. When it is raised or lowered, it must not touch the ground or the deck of a ship. The flag must be saluted by all that are present. When the flag is placed at half-mast for the dead, it must be hoisted first to the top of the staff, then lowered into place. So the flag goes to the top, then down to half-mast.
When the flag passes by on parade, spectators should stand if they are seated, stop if they are walking and remove hats (if wearing them) giving the flag their full attention. Nothing should ever be placed on the flag or attached to it! And the actual flag should never be used for decoration or advertising purposes
The Soverein Queen's Official Birthday
This celebration is held in England and is normally held on the second Saturday in June. There are exceptions. For example, in 2013 it will be held on June 15, which is the third Saturday. It is also celebrated in other countries that have ties to the United Kingdom. The basic color associated with this celebration is red because that is also the color of Queen Elizabeth's flag.
The origin of this observance was Queen Victoria's (ruled from 1837 to 1901) idea. The British have celebrated their sovereign's birthday for centuries. But, Queen Victoria wanted to make an "official" birthday celebration. Although her birthday was really on May 24th, it was decided to celebrate it publicly in June.
Both Edward VII (1901-1910) who had a birthday in November and George V (1910-1936) who had a birthday in December and Elizabeth (1952 to present) who had a birthday in April, all agreed to continue the official birthday celebration as being held in June every year. One of the reasons is that the weather in England was always better in June that in the actual birthday months of the sovereigns. This just made sense!
Queen Elizabeth II has reigned over England for a very long time and had her coronation on June 2, 1953 (commonly referred to as the Queen's Birthday). But it is usually observed as I said above, the 2nd Saturday in June, unless other obligations require it to be moved up or back a week.
The official birthday celebration is closely identified with the Trooping of the Colours Ceremony. This takes place on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, an area of London where many government offices are located. It's also where Whitehall Palace, the official residence of the royal family back in the 16th and 17th centuries, once was.
The queen is escorted from her home at Buckingham Palace by her Household Cavalry to the parade grounds, where she sits on horseback and carries out an inspection of the Household Troops which are all assembled there.
The flag of color of a particular regiment (a different one is chosen every year) is then "trooped" or carried through the ranks where each and every soldier can see it. Then the troops either ride or march past the queen. Then the queen returns to Buckingham Palace.
A royal salute of 41 guns in London's Green Park brings this event to its conclusion.
This celebration is held in England and is normally held on the second Saturday in June. There are exceptions. For example, in 2013 it will be held on June 15, which is the third Saturday. It is also celebrated in other countries that have ties to the United Kingdom. The basic color associated with this celebration is red because that is also the color of Queen Elizabeth's flag.
The origin of this observance was Queen Victoria's (ruled from 1837 to 1901) idea. The British have celebrated their sovereign's birthday for centuries. But, Queen Victoria wanted to make an "official" birthday celebration. Although her birthday was really on May 24th, it was decided to celebrate it publicly in June.
Both Edward VII (1901-1910) who had a birthday in November and George V (1910-1936) who had a birthday in December and Elizabeth (1952 to present) who had a birthday in April, all agreed to continue the official birthday celebration as being held in June every year. One of the reasons is that the weather in England was always better in June that in the actual birthday months of the sovereigns. This just made sense!
Queen Elizabeth II has reigned over England for a very long time and had her coronation on June 2, 1953 (commonly referred to as the Queen's Birthday). But it is usually observed as I said above, the 2nd Saturday in June, unless other obligations require it to be moved up or back a week.
The official birthday celebration is closely identified with the Trooping of the Colours Ceremony. This takes place on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, an area of London where many government offices are located. It's also where Whitehall Palace, the official residence of the royal family back in the 16th and 17th centuries, once was.
The queen is escorted from her home at Buckingham Palace by her Household Cavalry to the parade grounds, where she sits on horseback and carries out an inspection of the Household Troops which are all assembled there.
The flag of color of a particular regiment (a different one is chosen every year) is then "trooped" or carried through the ranks where each and every soldier can see it. Then the troops either ride or march past the queen. Then the queen returns to Buckingham Palace.
A royal salute of 41 guns in London's Green Park brings this event to its conclusion.
Symbols and Customs
COLOURS
"Colours" is a British term that refers to the regimental flag that was traditionally carried into battle and used to rally the soldiers. It also helped them recognize other members of their group that they were fighting with. This is no longer done, but the color still symbolizes the regiment's spirit and is carried in parades as a memorial to fallen soldiers.
The Queen's Colour is solid crimson. When she is present during the ceremony (sometimes she isn't) then her color is carried through the ranks of her Household Troops (Coldstream, Grenadier, Scots, Irish or Welsh Guards) that are in London.
Horse Guards Parade
The Trooping Guards Parade is London's largest open space. It was built in 1745 to house the guards for the royal palace of Whitehall. It was also used as a jousting ground and a tennis court. The Parade is entered through a low arch, where two sentries stand guard. In the same area are a number of government offices and the prime minister's Downing Street residence around it's perimeter.
Inspection
This isn't really an inspection per se. It's more of a formality. Because every soldier has already been inspected a number of times beforehand to make sure he is spotless and his equipment is pristine and in perfect condition, this inspection is simply a way of letting the soldiers know that the queen is appreciating them and acknowledging their presence.
Royal Salute
This is the firing of the 41 guns in London's Green Park after the queen has returned to her residence in Buckingham Palace. This is done as a symbol of the people's respect for their sovereign. Saluting with guns dates way back to the 16th century as a naval tradition. A warship entering a foreign port would demonstrate it's peaceful intentions by emptying all of it's guns first. (This would seem like an attack to me, but hey! ) By 1688, rules were set up limiting how many guns should be fired to show respect for an admiral. They decided 19 would do it. Then they decided to show respect for the royal family would be 21 guns. (They decided this because most naval ships back then had 10 guns on each side, plus an extra shot would be fired as a signal to begin.) So, add 19 + 21 + 1 = 41. Thus, the 41-gun salute = two complete rounds from the gun deck of a ship plus the one single starting signal shot.
