Flag Observances for June
June 14 is designated as Flag Day. It is a commemoration of the Second Continental Congress’s adoption of the flag as the national symbol of the United States in 1775. In the same session after adoption of the flag, the Congress established the “US Continental Army.” As such, the US Army celebrates June 14, 1775 as the date of its founding.
The third Sunday in June (this year June 20) is Father’s Day, a Federal holiday designated in the US Flag code as an official observance.
Title 36 United States Code, Subtitle I (Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies), Part A (Observances and Ceremonies), Chapter 1 (Patriotic and National Observances) lists the two days:
§ 109. Father’s Day
§ 110. Flag Day
It is at the President’s discretion to issue a proclamation for Flag Day. The week in which Flag Day appears (this year June 13-19) is designated as Flag Week.
The Continental Congress of the United States adopted this resolution on June 14, 1777:
Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.
The first national observance of Flag Day was on June 14, 1877; 100 years after the flag resolution was adopted by the Continental Congress.
All Americans are encouraged to fly the US Flag on Father’s Day and during Flag Week. The flag is flown full-mast unless modified by Presidential or gubernatorial proclamation.