National Flag On Day

Happy people in diverse cultural clothing holding national flags in a bustling city square, celebrating National Flag Day with joy and unity.. — National flag on day illustration

Welcome to WhatNationalDayIsIt.com, where we uncover the fascinating history behind all those quirky national days! Today, we're delving into the fascinating world of National Flag Day.

When is Flag On Day?

It's national flag on day on the 26th January.

The Birth of National Flag Day

Every year on National Flag Day, we come together to celebrate the symbol that represents our country and its values. But have you ever wondered how this day came to be?

The idea for National Flag Day originated with a true patriot and flag enthusiast named Bernard J. Cigrand. In 1885, at just 19 years old, Cigrand wrote an article for his school newspaper advocating for a national observance of the flag. He believed that displaying and honoring the flag would promote national unity and pride.

His passion didn't stop there. Cigrand traveled around the country, giving lectures and speeches on the importance of the flag. He even set up a free 12-inch American flag in his classroom and encouraged his students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance while facing the flag.

Finally, on June 14, 1889, the first recognized Flag Day ceremony took place in a small town called Stony Hill, located in Waubeka, Wisconsin. From that point forward, National Flag Day gradually gained recognition and support. It was officially recognized by President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916, and then later signed into law by President Harry S. Truman in 1949.

Today, National Flag Day is celebrated across the country. It's a day to honor the flag, pay tribute to the brave men and women who have fought for our freedom, and reflect on what the flag means to us as a nation. So, get your flags ready and let's dive into the festivities!

History behind the term 'Flag On'

1859

The Birth of the Semaphore Flag System

In the year 1859, the origins of the term 'flag on' can be traced back to the creation of the semaphore flag system. This system was developed by Captain Frederick Marryat, a British Royal Navy officer, as a means of communicating messages over long distances using a series of flags. Each flag in the system represented a specific letter or number, allowing for a visual representation of the message being conveyed. The development of this flag system laid the foundation for later uses of flags in communication.

1894

Flag On in the Sporting World

In the year 1894, the term 'flag on' became popularized in the sporting world, particularly in horse racing. During horse races, officials would use flags to signal various conditions or incidents on the track. One such flag was the 'flag on,' which indicated that the race was underway and the track was clear for racing. This use of the term 'flag on' in the context of sporting events helped establish it as a recognized phrase.

1913

Flag On in Automobile Racing

By the year 1913, the term 'flag on' had expanded its usage to include automobile racing. This was the year when the first official green flag was used to signal the start of a race. The green flag, synonymous with 'flag on,' came to symbolize the moment when drivers could accelerate and begin their high-speed pursuit. This usage of 'flag on' in automobile racing further solidified its association with the start of an event or activity.

1969

Flag On in American Football

In 1969, the term 'flag on' entered the lexicon of American football. This was the year when the modern system of penalty flags was introduced to the game. Referees would throw a yellow flag onto the field to indicate that a penalty had been committed by a player or team. The phrase 'flag on' quickly became a common refrain among football commentators and fans, signifying that a foul had been called and a penalty would be assessed.

1990

Flag On in Video Gaming

The term 'flag on' made its way into the world of video gaming in the year 1990. This was the era of multiplayer first-person shooter games, where players would compete against each other in virtual battlefields. In one such game, a popular phrase uttered by players was 'flag on,' used to alert teammates that an opponent had captured their team's flag. Over time, 'flag on' became synonymous with the presence of an enemy holding the flag, adding an element of strategy and excitement to the gaming experience.

Did you know?

Did you know that the current design of the American flag, with 50 stars and 13 stripes, was created by a high school student? Robert G. Heft designed it as part of a class project in 1958, and his teacher initially gave him a B– for the effort. However, after the design was chosen as the official flag, his grade was changed to an A!