In the United States, Flag Day (more formally, National Flag Day) is celebrated on June 14th.

It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14th as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, though on June 14, 1937 Pennsylvania became the first (and only) U.S. state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday.

Title 36 Sec. 110 of the US Code is the official statute on Flag Day, however it is at the President's discretion to proclaim officially the observance.

The largest Flag Day parade is held annually in Troy, New York.

Framingham, Massachusetts also holds a yearly Flag Day parade, as do many other towns and cities, although in recent years a shrinking turnout has prompted the town to consider eliminating the event.

Several men are claimed to have played early instrumental roles in the establishment of a National Flag Day.

• Perhaps the most fervent claim dates to 1885, when a schoolteacher, Bernard J. Cigrand, reportedly urged the students at the public school in Waubeka, Wisconsin to observe June 14 as "Flag Birthday." He moved to Chicago to attend dental school, and in June 1886 wrote an article titled “The Fourteenth of June” which was published in the Chicago Argus newspaper. He continued to promote the idea, and by June 1894, 300,000 children gathered in parks throughout Chicago to celebrate the day.

• Another claim is made on behalf of William T. Kerr, a resident of Collier Township, Pennsylvania for a number of years, who founded the American Flag Day Association of Western Pennsylvania in 1888, became that organization's national chairman one year later, and served as such for fifty years. He attended President Harry S. Truman's 1949 signing of the Act of Congress which formally established the holiday.

• An older and less cited claim is in Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, published by Standard Publishing Company (Chicago) in 1912. It credits George Morris of Hartford, Connecticut:

To George Morris of Hartford, Conn., is popularly given the credit of suggesting "Flag Day," the occasion being in honor of the adoption of the American flag on June 14, 1777. The city of Hartford observed the day in 1861, carrying out a program of a patriotic order, praying for the success of the Federal arms and the preservation of the Union.

The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. The flag should also be displayed on all Government buildings. Some organizations hold parades and events in celebration of America's national flag and everything it represents. It’s also a time to remember and honor military men and women who defend America.

The Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council holds a ceremony at the Veterans Park and properly disposes unusable United States Flags.The recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem (The Star-spangled Banner) are included in the event.

Chairman of the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council, Bert Dutil organized and officiated the proper disposal of the United States Flag Ceremony on Flag Day 2007. It was a beautiful day in the veterans park and everyone who attended was honored to have been a part of this most patriotic of ceremonies.

Bert Dutil opens the ceremonies with the Franco American honor guard in the background. Gerry DerBoghosian serving as Chaplain for the ceremony awaits the time of prayer.

Gerry DerBoghosian acting Chaplain recites the prayer as those present humbly listen.

1) Americanism Officer, Richard Doucette of Post 153, New Auburn, served as the Master of Ceremonies.

2) Franco American War Veterans, National and Post Commander, Wilfred "Willie" Danforth serves as Sergeant of Arms for the flag disposing ceremony. Standing in the background are representatives of different post of various veterans organizations. First in line representing Post 22 of Lewiston was Sergeant of Arms, Arthur Paradis.

3) Representing Post 153 New Auburn, Richard Doucette and Moe Fournier.

4) Representing the Franco American War Veterans was Auxiliary President, Fern Ronan.

5) Representing the Marine Corps League Central Maine Detachment 810 was Chaplain, Richard McGuinness.

6) Representing the South Paris chapter of the Military of the Purple Heart Chapter 2699 was trustee, Joe Paradis.

7) Representing the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1603, Auburn was Don Linscott. Veterans of Foreign War Adjutant Arthur Roy of the Captain Frank W. Hulett Veterans of Foreign War Post 1603, Auburn, has received a paid appointment to the 108th National Convention.

8) Representing the Longley Dionne Veterans of Foreign War Post 9150, Ron Arneault.

9) Representing the Women's Marines Association was Georgette "Gerry" Cain. Ms. Cain salutes as the colors are laid to rest.

10) Representing the newly revitalized Turner Memorial Post 111 was Commander Warren K. Clark.

11)  Representing the little Marines was Eric Ducette.

12) Representing the Auburn Navy Recruiting office was Petty Officer 1st class, Jacob Veilleux.

Kneeling from the left are Roger Fillion, Post 22, American Legion;
Ron Arneault, Post 9150, Veterans of Foreign War; and Maurice Dutil, Post 31, Franco American War Veterans;

Second row, Jacob Veilleux, United States Navy; Richard Doucette, disposal officer, Post
153, American Legion; Eric Pepin, United States Marine Corps; Jerry DerBoghosian, Post 9150; Bert Dutil, chairman of the Lewiston/Auburn Veterans Council; Fern Ronan, Franco American War Veterans Auxiliary; Joe Paradis, Post 22.

To the right of Paradis is Lindy McCollum, Post 31 color guard; Maurice Marquis,
Marine Corps League; and Warren Clark, Post 111, American Legion:

back four, Richard McGuinness, Marine Corps League; Arthur Paradis, Sergeant at Arms Post 22, American Legion; Willie Danforth, Franco American War Veterans Post 31; and Robert Levesque, Franco American War Veterans color guard. Absent were Maurice Fournier, Post 153; Don Linscott, Post 1603; Paul Bernard Post 111, American Legion, Georgette "Gerry" Cain, Womens Marine Association, Massachusetts; Cecil Burgoyne, Franco American War Veterans color guard; Daniel Poulin, Boy Scout Troop 153; and Matt Dubois, representative from Representative Michael Michaud's United States Congressman's office.

Marine Corps Leaque, Central Maine Detachment 810, Maurice Marquis sang God Bless America

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