Flag Day honors American history Published June 12, 2015 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- June 14 is Flag Day, a celebration of the history of the American flag and a time to remember proper etiquette for its display. Flag Day recognizes the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States 238 years ago on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia. A resolution was passed specifying that the flag have 13 alternating red and white stripes, and the union have 13 white stars on a blue field. The resolution didn't specify the arrangement of the stars, but a full circle was adopted later. On May 1, 1795, the flag was changed to 15 stars and 15 stripes. This flag stood over Fort McHenry as the British attacked during the War of 1812, Sept. 13-14, 1814. This flag, found still standing after the attack ended, inspired Francis Scott Key to compose The Star Spangled Banner. On April 4, 1818, Congress passed a law limiting the flag's stripes to 13 and providing for a star to be added to the blue field for each new state. The flag evolved into the flag flown over the United States today, with its last star added for the state of Hawaii in 1960. Flag Day was first observed in 1877, the 100th anniversary of the adoption of America's red, white and blue banner. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established Flag Day as an annual national celebration. It didn't become a national holiday until Aug. 3, 1949, when President Harry Truman signed a resolution denoting June 14 as the official birthday of the Stars and Stripes. As America's flag developed throughout history, so did traditions and proper etiquette guiding its proper use and display. The U.S. Flag Code adopted by Congress states, "The flag represents a living country and itself is considered a living thing." Proper display and use of the American flag Hoist the flag briskly and lower it ceremoniously. Display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. The flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if it's properly illuminated during hours of darkness. Each Air Force installation is limited to one illuminated flag staff. When displayed vertically or horizontally on a wall, the union should always be to the flag's uppermost right (the observer's left.) In a window, the union should be to an outside observer's left. When displayed over a street, the flag should be suspended vertically with the union to the north on an east-west street and to the east on a north-south street. Don't display the flag during inclement weather unless an all-weather flag is used. The flag shouldn't be displayed on a parade float unless from a staff. The flag should never be displayed with the union down except as a signal of dire distress. The flag shouldn't touch anything beneath it, such as the ground or water. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. Flag patches may be worn on the uniforms of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations. A flag lapel pin is considered a replica and should be worn on the wearer's left lapel near the heart. For more information on proper use and display, call the protocol office, 377-3396 or 377-5566.