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Stars and Stripes

A Flag Day Celebration

Flag Day is June 14. It’s not a traditional party day but it’s a great day to honor the flag, remember what being American means and maybe have a parade!  This patriotic theme party can work for any of the patriotic holiday.  It makes a great July 4^th party theme and it also is very good for a Memorial Day party theme.  So grab a flag, break out the bunting and celebrate this patriotic holiday!
 

The History of Flag Day. 

The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'.

Following the suggestion of Colonel J Granville Leach (at the time historian of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution), the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America on April 25, 1893 adopted a resolution requesting all private citizens to display the Flag on June 14th. Leach went on to recommend that thereafter the day be known as 'Flag Day'. It would be a day where school children would be assembled for appropriate exercises, with each child being given a small Flag.

Adults, too, participated in patriotic programs. Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior, delivered a 1914 Flag Day address in which he repeated words he said the flag had spoken to him that morning: "I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself."

Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

For a complete list of ideas for your patriotic theme, including balloons, centerpieces, decorations, wearables and more, see our Patriotic Party Goods. 

So this June 14, it's time to party. And do you know what else? There are two reasons to celebrate. Boy George was born on June 14 as well. Hmmm. Let's stick to Flag Day, okay?

Don’t be afraid of starting out with a great invitation.  We’re partial to Party411’s Creations For You personalized invitations.  MakesParties has a nice America invitation that is perfect for this party or simply get together with your kid’s and make invitations using red, white and blue construction paper and a stars and stripes theme.  (This is a party that will have kids attending so a whimsical, kid designed invitation makes sense.)

Get your neighborhood together to "pause for the pledge." Believe it or not, and it's obviously a well-kept secret, Flag Day is held simultaneously across the country at 7 p.m. EDT. It is nationally recognized as part of National Flag Day ceremonies and was created so we—all Americans--can share a patriotic moment.  So, get with it!

Talk to your neighbors, get a permit to block off the street and have a big pot-luck dinner.   Serve dinner on America Forever paper plates.  Have a USA Cake be the focal point of your table. Keep drinks cold in a red, white and blue inflatable cooler.  

Pool your money and rent some inexpensive games from a local entertainment company. Or you can arrange a good old-fashioned day in the park (except this is on your block) with sack races, relays and more.  Festoon (love that word) your neighborhood with red, white and blue balloons.  Or if you really want to get into the spirit select from these amazing patriotic balloons. And don’t forget to decorate your guests.  Hats, blinking flag beads,  and a flag folding fan are just some of the items that are available. 

There is some nice patriotic patterned paper available you can use to cover a wall and create a patriotic atmosphere and it’s very inexpensive.   A neighborhood celebration may need a central meeting place. Create that with these unique USA Top Hat Decorations. Or use personalized banners to create a festive atmosphere.  Other suggestions include a patriotic bunting border or patriotic stripes border or Old Glory bunting or durable plastic bunting.

Make sure everyone on the block puts out the American flag (first things first, after all). And give the little kids crepe paper and other stuff to decorate their bikes for a "Flag Day" parade. It'll be great fun.

 Some great “Stars and Stripes” decorations to help celebrate the day:

•  American Flags

• Spirit of America Kit

•  Lighted American Flag

• American Flag Banner

• America Forever Tablewear 

• Blinking Flag Beads

• Patriotic Vests

• Flag Lights 

•  Patriotic Candle

• American Folding Fan

• Stars and Stripes Gossamer

• Stars and Stripes Banquet Roll  Great for covering picnic tables!

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