How to Celebrate Flag Day

Co-authored by Eric McClure

Last Updated: February 7, 2021 References

Flag Day takes place every year on June 14, in honor of the adoption of the American flag in 1777. Flag Day is a non-federal holiday in the United States that honors the history and meaning of the American Flag. To celebrate Flag Day, get a high-quality American flag and display it in a prominent location outside of your home. Raise the flag at sunrise and lower it at sunset to adhere to the U.S. Flag Code. On Flag Day, honor the meaning of the holiday by visiting a memorial or history museum to learn more about American history. You can also celebrate with your family by attending a Flag Day parade or hosting a dinner party for your friends and family.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Displaying the Flag

1
Get an American flag that fulfills the requirements in the Flag Code. Purchase a flag with all 50 stars and 13 alternating red and white stripes. The flag cannot be oddly-shaped, damaged, or discolored. However, it can be any size so long it is rectangular and immediately recognizable as the flag. Purchase a flag online or from a local flag and banner company.^{[1]
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- The point of Flag Day is to honor the history and meaning of the American flag. Get an American-made flag and hang it together to make this a family event.
- The Flag Code refers to the set of federal regulations that govern how the American flag should be displayed, stored, and hung. You can find it online at https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/8.
2
Choose a prominent location to hang your flag so that it is highly visible. To commemorate Flag Day, hang your flag outdoors so that others can see it. If you have a free-standing flag pole, place it in your front yard or near your driveway so that it can be easily seen by people walking or driving by. Hang the flag on a vertical pole or on a staff leading away from your home.^{[2]
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- There should be no vegetation or shade touching your flag and it cannot be brushing against your home or some other obstruction.
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3
Place the American flag above any other flags that you’re displaying. If you have another flag for your county, state, or city, lower it so that the American flag is higher. There should never be any flag flying higher than the American flag, especially on Flag Day. If you’re hoisting the flag alongside another country’s flag, place them so that they’re equally high in the air and put the American flag on the right.^{[3]
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- If you’re displaying more than 2 flags, hang the American flag in the center of the other flags.
- Try to avoid hanging more than 1 flag on a single pole on Flag Day. If you do decide to hang more than 1 flag, put the American Flag on top.
4
Hang your flag by attaching the clips to the grommets and raising it. The grommets refer to the rings that are embedded in your flag. On a flag pole, use the snap hooks to attach the 2-3 grommets in your flag. Then, slowly pull the back rope down to raise your flag. Wrap the excess rope around the cleat in a figure-8 pattern before tucking it under itself to secure the flag at the top.^{[4]
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- If you’re hanging your flag off of your home, get a flag that is attached to a mounting rod and simply slide it into the bracket on your porch or home. You can buy a flagpole bracket online or at a construction supply store and drill it into your porch post or siding.
- If you’re hanging your flag vertically, display it wherever you’d like so long as the fabric doesn’t brush against anything else. Hang it with the blue and white stars in the top left.
- Try to avoid letting your flag touch the ground while you unfold it and hang it.
5
Raise the flag during sunrise and lower it at sunset. On Flag Day, raise the flag as the sun is rising and lower it when the sun is going down. If you want to display the flag through the night, illuminate it by putting a flood light underneath it. The flag should never be covered by shadows or shade, and it should be fully visible at all times.^{[5]
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Tip: If you’re hanging the flag with your family, say the pledge of allegiance together or have a moment of silence to honor the soldiers that died for their country as you’re putting it up and taking it down.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Honoring the Meaning of the Holiday

1
Discuss the meaning of the flag with your family. Flag Day is the perfect occasion to discuss the values and history of the United States. If you have children, ask them what they know about the flag. Point out that the stars represent the states and have a short discussion about the importance of the individual states. Explain that the stripes represent the original 13 colonies. Talking about the origins of the flag is a great way to appreciate what the flag actually represents.^{[6]
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- Ask your children about Betsy Ross, the woman credited with creating the first American flag, and teach them who she was. Other relevant historical topics include the American Revolution and the Civil War.
2
Go to a veteran’s memorial to honor the fallen. Visit a local memorial to honor the sacrifices made by the soldiers that served in the U.S. military. Take your family or go alone. A memorial is a great place for some quiet reflection and it’s a phenomenal way to pay your respects on Flag Day.^{[7]
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- While Flag Day isn’t explicitly designed to honor the military or veterans, Flag Day parades and celebrations often honor fallen soldiers that fought under the flag.
- Flag Day is the same date as the Army’s birthday! The United States military was officially founded on June 14, 1775.^{[8]
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3
Attend a flag-raising ceremony at your local university or military base. Flag-raising ceremonies are official events where soldiers, ROTC members, or veteran organizations hang the flag in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code. They’re often accompanied by guest speakers, music, or a small ceremony of some kind. Look online to find a flag-raising ceremony near you and attend with your family.^{[9]
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Tip: Flag raising ceremonies are always free, although you may be asked to make a donation to the organizing group.
4
Visit a history museum to learn more about the United States. Flag Day isn’t a federal holiday, which means that most businesses that are normally open will still be available to the public. Take your family to your local history museum and view the exhibits. Talk to your family about the amazing history of the country and encourage them to explore the museum. This is a great way to honor the spirit of Flag Day and learn more about the United States.^{[10]
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- Flag Day often falls on a Sunday. Look online to see if your local museum will be open on Flag Day.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Engaging in a Festive Activity

1
Attend a local Flag Day parade to celebrate as a community. Depending on where you live, there may be a Flag Day parade. Grab some snacks or visit a local restaurant before heading out to the street to watch the parade. If there isn’t a Flag Day parade in your town, look online to find a parade in a neighboring town or city to make a day trip out of it!^{[11]
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- If you’re involved in any social clubs or volunteer organizations, contact the group that is organizing the parade to find out about how you can participate!
Tip: If you’re in the mood to travel, the largest Flag Day parade is hosted in Troy, New York every year. It often attracts more than 50,000 people from all over the country.^{[12]
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2
Host a dinner at your home for close friends and family. A simple dinner party is a great way to quietly celebrate with your loved ones. Invite people over to your home and either cook dinner or host a potluck where everyone brings something to share. Enjoy the party and engage in some quality family time.^{[13]
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- Consider serving a classic American dinner by serving a meat entrée alongside potatoes, pasta, or salad.
- Flag Day is in June. If it’s nice out, consider hosting a barbeque instead.
3
Throw a block party to enjoy the holiday with your neighbors. If folks in your area aren’t big on celebrating Flag Day, consider throwing a block party on your street to bring the neighborhood together. Submit an application to your local government to host a block party and pay the required fee to secure your permit. On Flag Day, set out a tent and hang a few American flags to set the tone for your block party.^{[14]
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- You can usually apply for a block party online at your local city’s website.
- Go around to every house on the street and ask if people would be interested in a Flag Day block party. If enough people are interested, ask everyone to bring something to eat or drink. If people don’t seem that excited by the idea, consider throwing a smaller party for your friends and family instead.

Community Q&A

Question

Am I supposed to wear red, white, and blue on Flag Day?

Community Answer

You can if you want to, just like on U.S. Independence Day. It can add a festive touch, but you don't need to wear anything special to celebrate.
Question

How do we retire flags on Flag Day?

Community Answer

Check this wikiHow article for tips on how to Retire a U.S. Flag.
Question

How many people celebrate this day?

Galasy4969

Top Answerer

It is one of the lesser recognized holidays. There are no recorded numbers in terms of participation.