Flag Flying Holidays at Flag Expressions

American Flag Flying Holidays

The American flag can be flown every day. But it is proper flag etiquette to make sure you fly your American flag proudly on these National Holidays. We've listed the most popular flag flying holidays, including their history and why they have become National days to fly Old Glory proudly.

	New Years Day (January 1) - New Year’s Day celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar which is generally accepted in the United States of America. It is normally accompanied by fireworks and kisses at the turn of 12 AM. New York holds the largest celebration in Times Square where the “ball” drops at the turn of midnight
	Inauguration Day(January 20 - every 4th year) - Inauguration Day occurs every 4 years and coincides with the inauguration of new presidents in the USA. This flag holiday was first established to take place on March 4th of the Inauguration year and was celebrated on that date from 1978 through 1933. Following the ratification of the 20th Amendment; however, the date was changed to January 20th. When the 20th occurs on a Sunday, the day is then pushed to the 21st (Monday). The next Inauguration day will take place on January 20th, 2013.
	Martin Luther King Day (3rd Monday in January) - Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of each January despite his true birthday being January 15th, 1929. This flag flying holiday commemorates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader and chief spokesperson for non-violent activism during the Civil Rights movement. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 and the American flag holiday was first signed into law by Ronald Reagan in 1983 but was not observed until 1986.
	President’s Day (3rd Monday in February) - President’s Day was first established by Congress in 1880 to honor George Washington and was originally celebrated on February 22nd, the actual birth date of George Washington (1732). This flag flying holiday was later changed to President’s Day to honor the Presidency position in general.
	Easter Sunday (April 4th) - Easter is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of April following the first full moon of the vernal equinox. Easter is considered by many to be one of the most important holidays in the Christian religion marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
	Mothers Day (Second Sunday in May) - The Mother’s Day holiday was first established by Anna Jarvis on May 12, 1907 following the passing of her mother. After campaigning, she succeeded in making Mother’s Day recognized nationally in 1914 across the US.
	Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th) - Peace Officers Memorial Day pays tribute to all of the Federal, State, and local peace officers who protect us from crime, harm, and terrorism. It is recognized on May 15th and gives thanks to the many of officers have paid the ultimate price for the protection of our freedoms. The American flag is to be flown at half-staff on this day.
	Armed Forces Day (Third Saturday in May) - Armed Forces Day was created in 1949, and was a result of the consolidation of the Military services in the Department of Defense. It was intended to replace the separate Military Branch days for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, but observance of these days, especially within each particular service, continues to this day.
	Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) - Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May each year. It honors those who have served and died while serving in the Armed Forces in America. It was first enacted in 1868 following the Civil War and flags are asked to be served at half-staff until noon local time. Then, the American flag is raised to its normal height. The American flag is to be flown at half-staff until noon on this day.
	Flag Day(June 14th) - The United States Flag Day celebrates the adoption of the flag of the United States of America which occurred on June 14, 1777. Flag Day was proclaimed a Holiday by Woodrow Wilson in August of 1949 yet is not recognized as a Federal holiday.
	Father's Day (Third Sunday in June) - Father's Day was invented by Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd, daughter of the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who reared his six children in Spokane, Washington. She was inspired by Anna Jarvis's efforts to establish Mother's Day. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father's birthday, the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June.
	Independence Day(July 4th) - Independence Day, also referred to as "The Fourth of July", is celebrated every July 4th in the United States and represents the independence of the 13 original colonies from the British. It was originally adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776 and the Declaration was written. July 4th has become one of the largest holidays in America and is often characterized by fireworks and the red, white, and blue, as well as flying the American Flag.
	Labor Day (1st Monday in September) - Labor Day is celebrated on the 1st Monday of September every year. This holiday was originally created when Peter J McGuire witnessed a Canadian celebration of the “Nine Hour Movement”, a movement to establish labor laws in Canada,then returned to New York to organize the first Labor Day on September 5th, 1882. It was originally marked by parades and was established to honor the many achievements and inventions of the American workers.
	Patriot Day (September 11th) - Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year in honor of the many lives lost in the Sept. 11 attack of 2001 and was originally signed into law on December 18, 2001 by President George W. Bush. It is marked by flying flags at half-staff throughout the day at homes, government offices, and the White House. Also, we are asked to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 AM which marks the time when the first plane hit the World Trade Center. The American flag is to be flown at half-staff on this day.
	Constitution Day (September 17th) - Constitution Day is recognized on September 17th of each year and is in observance of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. September 17th marks the date when Constitution was signed by Constitutional Convention in 1787. The law establishing Constitution Day was not created until 2004 though. When the 17th falls on a weekend, schools and other institutions will recognize the Holiday on an adjacent weekday, either the Friday before or Monday following.
	POW/MIA Recognition Day (3rd Friday in September) – National POW/MIA Recognition Day is celebrated on the 3rd Friday of each September in the United States. This patriotic holiday is designed to honor all of the prisoners of war and those missing in action andit is one of the only holidays where the black and white POW/MIA flag flies at federal facilities and cemeteries, post offices, and Military installations.
	Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October; October 12th at Foreign Service posts) – Columbus Day celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival into the Americas on October 12, 1492. It is not only recognized by the United States but also by many other countries. In the US, It was first officially celebrated by the state of Colorado in 1905 and became an official Federal holiday in 1970.
	Veterans Day (November 11th) – Veterans day gives thanks to all of the brave men and women who have served in the US Military on November 11th. It was first proclaimed as Armistice Day on November 12, 1919 by Woodrow Wilson and was officially changed to Veterans Day on November 8th, 1954. When November 11th falls on a Sunday, this patriotic holiday day off is pushed to the following Monday.
	Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November) – Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of each November and was originally designed to give thanks for the reaped harvest of the Autumn. Thanksgiving dinner is common in the United States and is generally eaten with friends and family in honor of being thankful.
	Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7th) – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day takes place each year on December 7th, the date of the Pearl Harbor attacks in 1941. It is designed to give thanks and remembrance for the many service men and women who lost their lives on that day. Pearl Harbor marks the second worst foreign attack on American soil behind 9/11/01. The American flag is to be flown at half-staff on this day.
	Christmas Day (December 25th) – Christmas is generally regarded as the largest Holiday in the USA and is characterized by presents and gifts given between people. This holiday is designed to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth and occurs on December 25th of each year.