Calendar: Holiday : American patriotic celebration of Flag Day, June 14
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Nationwide celebrations on June 14 will be held in the USA to honour the national flag that symbolizes the everyday patrotism of most of the American populatoin. The USA celebration is popular but sometimes seems to be a dress rehearsal for the national birthday early next month, the Fourth of July.
Both days are often made contentious by the cult of Naysayers who take the occasions to burn the flag and vent their hostility to the whole idea of America as a good but (like everyone) flawed society with a good but flawed (like every good country) government. It's not the moment to make invidious comparisons, so let's just take a day of special pleasure in Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes. In Canada too, I'm among the American expats who celebrate flag day, while my neighbours on both sides fly the Maple Leaf day in and day out all year round.
In my youth, we students in school made a regular pledge of allegiance:
I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The expression "one Nation under God" comes from a phrase in the Gettysburg Address made by Abraham Lincoln in 1865, and it was added, under the leadership of Dwight David Eisenhower, to the pledge in the post-WWII era.
Because we missed it, not having our calendar program in place at the time, we mention here also that Canada's Flag Day is held on February 15 each year. But it seems there's no pledge of allegiance to the flag of Canada and the Monarchy that it represents. On becoming a citizen, one would pledge once and for all allegiance to reigning Monarch and her/his heirs forever (I am unable to do so in good conscience tho I respect Queen Elizabeth II greatly and love Canada along with my native land, the US).
While we're at it, here's how the Canadian govt site writes up the festivity:
February 15 is National Flag of Canada Day. It marks the day in 1965 when our red and white maple leaf flag was first raised over Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and in hundreds of communities from coast to coast to coast. This is a perfect opportunity to celebrate our flag and what it stands for — a country and a citizenship that are the envy of the world. In our often understated ways, be it instructing students in a school classroom, taking time to listen to the stories of veterans, or volunteering at the local community centre, Canadians share their pride in our flag and in their common values.Update: New protocol for half-masting Canadian flag:
The main ceremonial flag at the Peace Tower of Canada's Federal Parliament buildings will now be raised and lowered only on certain stringent conditions. There has been much recent debate in the country over flag half-masting for veterans of Canada's war in Afghanistan.
In its striking simplicity, the National Flag of Canada speaks to the exciting challenges and opportunities of our future. At the same time, it speaks to all that we have accomplished together as a people and to those moments that have served to define us. The creation of our flag in 1965 was such a moment.Two flags, two countries, two societies, two neighbours sharing one continent in peace and justice for all. - PoliticarpWhile very much focussed on our flag, the National Flag of Canada Day Web pages provide interesting information on five key moments that have made us who we are as a country and a people:
* Confederation (1867)
* The Battle of Vimy Ridge (1917)
* The Statute of Westminster (1931)
* The National Flag of Canada (1965)
* The Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)
The past, present and future can all be found in the folds of the National Flag of Canada. While we are still a relatively young country, our rich and fascinating history is only equalled by our incredible spirit and vitality that will define our future. February 15 — National Flag of Canada Day — is the perfect opportunity to share our pride in Canada and being Canadian.
Further Resources:
27th National Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance (USA)
Betsy Ross, sewing artist who created the 1st US flag
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