June 14 – Flag Day

Flag Day is Today!

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HOW TO CELEBRATE FLAG DAY STEP-BY-STEP

•  Purchase a beautiful new American flag.  Fun American Flag gifts.
•  Host a Flag Day Party with flag foods.
•  Read about the history of the American Flag.
•  Find out if Betsy Ross really made the first flag.
•  If you love the article image, purchase it on these fun products on Zazzle!

FEATURED ITEM FOR FLAG DAY

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag to remember the history and heritage of the USA. The first Flag Day was observed in 1885, and it has been a holiday for over 130 years. The flag is a symbol of our freedom, and it stands for the values that we hold dear. On Flag Day, we celebrate the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans, and we reflect on the sacrifices that have been made to defend our country. We also remember the many immigrants who have come to our shores in search of a better life, and we celebrate the diversity that makes our nation great. Flag Day is a day to be proud to be an American, and it is a day to honor the traditions and values that make our country great.

HISTORY OF FLAG DAY 

The first official Flag Day was observed on June 14th, 1877, the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes. The day commemorates the adoption of the flag of The United States, which took place on that date by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. The first celebration of Flag Day is thought to have been organized by schoolteacher, Bernard J. Cigrand in Waubeka, in Wisconsin in 1885. Cigrand has been dubbed the “Father of Flag Day” and devoted his life to promoting the holiday. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing a national Flag Day, and in 1949, National Flag Day was established by an act of Congress.

100 Ways to Celebrate Flag Day

1. Fly the Flag: Display the national flag prominently at your home, workplace, or community center.
2. Attend a Flag-Raising Ceremony: Participate in or watch a flag-raising ceremony in your community.
3. Learn Flag Etiquette: Educate yourself and others about proper flag etiquette, including how to display and handle the flag respectfully.
4. Visit a Historical Site: Visit a historical site related to the flag, such as the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
5. Host a Flag-Themed Picnic: Organize a picnic or barbecue with friends and family, featuring flag-themed decorations and food.
6. Teach Children about Flag Day: Educate children about the significance of Flag Day and the history of the flag through stories, crafts, and activities.
7. Create Flag Crafts: Make flag-themed crafts such as paintings, drawings, or homemade flags using craft supplies.
8. Attend a Parade: Participate in or watch a Flag Day parade in your community, featuring floats, marching bands, and flag displays.
9. Visit a Veteran’s Cemetery: Honor veterans by visiting a veteran’s cemetery and placing flags or flowers on their graves.
10. Wear Flag Colors: Wear clothing or accessories in the colors of the flag – red, white, and blue – to show your patriotism.
11. Support Flag-Related Charities: Donate to organizations that support veterans, military families, or promote flag education and awareness.
12. Write a Patriotic Letter: Write a letter to a soldier or veteran expressing gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
13. Host a Flag-Folding Ceremony: Organize a flag-folding ceremony with friends or family, following the traditional steps and explaining the symbolism of each fold.
14. Watch a Patriotic Movie: Watch a patriotic movie or documentary about American history or the flag, such as “The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag That Inspired the National Anthem.”
15. Read Flag History: Read books or articles about the history of the flag, including its design, evolution, and significance.
16. Attend a Flag Retirement Ceremony: Participate in or observe a flag retirement ceremony, where old or damaged flags are respectfully retired and disposed of properly.
17. Visit a Military Base: Visit a military base or installation and learn about the role of the flag in military traditions and ceremonies.
18. Plant a Flag Garden: Plant flowers or shrubs in the shape or colors of the flag to create a patriotic garden display.
19. Host a Flag Quiz: Organize a flag-themed quiz or trivia game with friends or family to test your knowledge of flag history and symbolism.
20. Support Local Veterans: Volunteer or donate to local organizations that support veterans and their families.
21. Learn Flag-Folding Rituals: Learn about the flag-folding rituals performed at military funerals and memorials, and consider volunteering to assist at such ceremonies.
22. Create a Flag Display: Design a flag display in your yard or neighborhood, featuring multiple flags arranged artistically.
23. Visit a Flag Museum: Visit a museum dedicated to the history and significance of the flag, such as the National Flag Day Foundation in Wisconsin.
24. Join a Flag Day Event: Participate in a Flag Day event or celebration organized by your community, such as a festival, concert, or art exhibition.
25. Reflect on Flag Symbolism: Take a moment to reflect on the symbolism of the flag and what it represents – freedom, unity, and the ideals of the nation.
26. Flag Craft: Engage kids in making flag-themed crafts like paper flags, handprint flags, or flag windsocks.
27. Flag Story Time: Read age-appropriate books about the American flag and its significance to children.
28. Flag Coloring Pages: Print out flag coloring pages for kids to color and decorate.
29. Flag Relay Race: Organize a fun relay race where kids carry miniature flags from one end to another.
30. Flag Scavenger Hunt: Hide small flags around the house or backyard for kids to find in a scavenger hunt.
31. Flag Puzzle: Create or purchase a puzzle featuring the American flag for kids to assemble.
32. Flag Snacks: Make flag-themed snacks like fruit skewers with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries to resemble the flag’s colors.
33. Flag Painting: Provide red, white, and blue paint for kids to create their own flag paintings on paper or canvas.
34. Flag Dress-Up: Encourage kids to dress up in patriotic colors or clothing featuring flag designs.
35. Flag Story Writing: Have kids write stories or poems inspired by the American flag and its symbolism.
36. Flag Dance Party: Play patriotic music and have a dance party where kids can wave small flags while dancing.
37. Flag Relay Drawing: Set up a relay drawing activity where kids take turns adding to a large flag drawing on a poster board or paper.
38. Flag Cookies: Bake and decorate cookies shaped like flags, stars, or other patriotic symbols.
39. Flag Memory Game: Create a memory game using cards with pictures of flags from different countries, including the American flag.
40. Flag Origami: Teach kids how to fold paper into origami flags or stars.
41. Flag Parade: Organize a mini parade around the yard or neighborhood where kids can march with handheld flags.
42. Flag Storyboard: Help kids create a storyboard or comic strip depicting the history of the American flag.
43. Flag Balloon Release: Tie small flags to helium balloons and release them into the sky as a symbolic gesture.
44. Flag Relay Reading: Set up a relay reading activity where kids take turns reading passages about the American flag from books or websites.
45. Flag Bean Bag Toss: Create a bean bag toss game with a flag-themed target for kids to practice their throwing skills.
46. Flag Puzzle Hunt: Hide pieces of a large flag puzzle around the house or yard for kids to find and assemble.
47. Flag Trivia: Play a flag trivia game with kids, asking questions about flag history, design, and symbolism.
48. Flag Movie Night: Watch patriotic movies or documentaries about the American flag with kids, followed by discussions about what they learned.
49. Flag Planting: Help kids plant small flags in pots or gardens as a way to honor the flag and learn about gardening.
50. Flag Thank You Notes: Have kids write thank you notes to veterans or active-duty military members, expressing gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
51.  Flag Cake: Bake a sheet cake and decorate it with frosting to resemble the American flag, using strawberries for red stripes, blueberries for stars, and whipped cream for the white stripes.
52. Patriotic Pancakes: Make pancakes and arrange them in the shape of the American flag using strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream.
53. Flag Fruit Tray: Create a fruit tray with strawberries, raspberries, and watermelon arranged in the shape of the American flag, with blueberries in the corner for stars.
54. Flag Pizza: Make a homemade pizza and arrange toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, and mozzarella cheese to resemble the American flag.
55. Red, White, and Blue Parfait: Layer yogurt, granola, and fresh berries in parfait glasses to create a patriotic breakfast or dessert option.
56. Flag Waffles: Make waffles and top them with whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries to create a flag design.
57. Patriotic Popcorn: Coat popcorn with red, white, and blue candy melts and sprinkles for a festive snack.
58. Flag Kabobs: Skewer strawberries, marshmallows, and blueberries onto wooden skewers to create patriotic fruit kabobs.
59. American Flag Veggie Tray: Arrange red and white vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, and jicama alongside blue tortilla chips or blue dip to represent the American flag.
60. Patriotic Popsicles: Make homemade popsicles using layers of red and blue fruit puree, such as strawberry and blueberry, for a refreshing summer treat.
61. Flag Salad: Arrange sliced strawberries, blueberries, and feta cheese on a bed of mixed greens to create a patriotic salad.
62. Flag Sandwich: Make sandwiches using red and white ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and deli meats, then cut them into star shapes and arrange them on a platter with blueberries for a flag-inspired display.
63. American Flag Cheese Platter: Arrange slices of red, white, and blue cheese on a platter alongside crackers and fresh fruit for a patriotic appetizer.
64. Patriotic Pasta Salad: Toss cooked pasta with red and blue vegetables like cherry tomatoes and blue potatoes, then drizzle with a white balsamic vinaigrette for a colorful and festive dish.
65. Flag Rice Krispie Treats: Make Rice Krispie treats and decorate them with red and blue icing to create a flag design.
66. Patriotic Punch: Mix together red fruit punch, white lemon-lime soda, and blue sports drink for a refreshing and colorful beverage.
67. Flag Cupcakes: Bake cupcakes and decorate them with frosting in the colors of the American flag, using sprinkles or fruit for added decoration.
68. Red, White, and Blue Smoothie: Blend together strawberries, bananas, and blueberries with yogurt and ice for a patriotic smoothie.
69. Patriotic Deviled Eggs: Prepare deviled eggs and sprinkle paprika on top for a red accent, then garnish with a blue olive or blue cheese crumbles for a festive touch.
70. American Flag Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with red salsa, white queso, and black beans for a flag-inspired twist on classic nachos.
71. Patriotic Pretzel Rods: Dip pretzel rods in melted white chocolate and decorate them with red and blue sprinkles for a sweet and salty snack.
72. Flag Tart: Bake a tart crust and fill it with pastry cream, then arrange slices of strawberries and blueberries on top in a flag design.
73. Patriotic Pizza Rolls: Roll out pizza dough and fill it with red sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, then roll it up and slice it into pinwheels for a festive appetizer.
74. American Flag Sushi: Roll sushi with red and white ingredients like tuna and cucumber, then arrange them on a platter with blue soy sauce for dipping.
75. Flag Ice Cream Sundae: Scoop vanilla ice cream into bowls and top it with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and blueberries for a patriotic dessert option.
76.  Flag Collage: Create a collage using cutouts of red, white, and blue paper to resemble the American flag.
77. Popsicle Stick Flags: Glue together popsicle sticks and paint them in red, white, and blue to make miniature flags.
78. Handprint Flag: Dip children’s hands in paint and press them onto paper to create handprint flags.
79. Fingerprint Flag: Use children’s fingerprints to create the stars on a flag design.
80. Paper Plate Flag: Cut out a circle from a paper plate and decorate it to resemble the American flag.
81. Flag Windsock: Decorate a paper towel roll with red, white, and blue streamers to make a patriotic windsock.
82. Flag Banner: Create a banner using red, white, and blue construction paper or fabric to hang indoors or outdoors.
83. Flag T-shirt: Use fabric paint or markers to decorate plain white t-shirts with flag designs.
84. Flag Magnets: Make flag magnets using craft foam or felt cutouts glued to magnet strips.
85. Flag Sun Catchers: Create sun catchers using clear contact paper and tissue paper in red, white, and blue.
86. Flag Pinwheels: Make pinwheels using red, white, and blue paper and attach them to wooden dowels for a patriotic decoration.
87. Flag Bookmarks: Make bookmarks using flag-themed ribbon or paper cutouts.
88. Flag Paper Chains: Create paper chains using strips of red, white, and blue paper to decorate indoors or outdoors.
89. Flag Painting: Use red, white, and blue paint to create flag paintings on canvas or paper.
90. Flag Lanterns: Decorate paper lanterns with flag designs using paint or markers.
91. Flag Mosaic: Create a flag mosaic using small pieces of colored paper or tissue paper glued onto a larger sheet of paper.
92. Flag Rocks: Paint rocks in red, white, and blue and arrange them to resemble the American flag.
93. Flag Bracelets: Make bracelets using red, white, and blue beads arranged in flag patterns.
94. Flag Puppets: Create flag puppets using craft sticks and paper cutouts of flags glued to the top.
95. Flag Hats: Decorate paper or foam hats with flag designs using stickers or markers.
96. Flag Crowns: Make crowns using paper or foam and decorate them with flag designs using stickers or markers.
97. Flag Necklaces: String red, white, and blue beads onto elastic thread to make patriotic necklaces.
98. Flag Lanterns: Create lanterns using mason jars decorated with flag designs using paint or markers.
99. Flag Paperweights: Make paperweights using rocks or glass stones painted with flag designs.
100. Flag Garlands: Create garlands using flag-themed paper cutouts or fabric triangles strung together on string or ribbon.

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Do you have any ideas about how to celebrate this day?  Please share them!