Fly your flag today – and every day

The American Press

Americans should fly our nation’s flag every day at their homes and businesses. But it is especially important to fly it today, June 14, the national Flag Day. The flag of our nation represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of our nation’s ideals since the earliest days of these United States. The U.S. flag reminds Americans of unity and in the great cause of liberty and justice for all.

The origins of Flag Day go back to the Revolutionary War. It was on June 14, 1777, that the Continental Congress officially adopted the “Stars and Stripes” as the banner of the United States.

The resolution stated, “The flag of the United States shall be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of 13 stars on a blue field.” Of course, the 13 stars and stripes represented the 13 American colonies which had united to declare independence from Great Britain.

At first, a new star and a new stripe was added with each new state joining the federal union. However, it soon became apparent that this method would be impractical, since there would be dozens of new states added over time. In 1818, Congress adopted the final design for the flag, which would retain the original 13 alternating red and white stripes, and add one new star in the blue canton for each state that joined the Union.

Louisiana became a state on April 30, 1812 — the 18th star in the national constellation. Formed from the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the Territory of Orleans was established in 1804. The name was changed to the Territory of Louisiana, before it formally joined the Union.

It wasn’t until the 20th century that an official flag code was adopted, at the behest of veterans and patriotic organizations.

The Americanism Committee of the American Legion held a conference in 1923 with delegates from 72 patriotic organizations to adopt a universal flag code.

Then, on Dec. 22, 1942, Congress adopted Public Law 829, to enact a federal flag code.

The next step was to designate national Flag Day, which was done by Congress Aug. 3, 1949, and requested on June 9, 1966 that the president issue an appropriate proclamation on that day annually.

Fly your flag proudly today, and don’t be shy about flying it every day of the year.

””

(Royce Bair /Associated Press)

SportsPlus

McNeese Sports

Sharp-shooting Cowboys roll Demons

Local News

New year, new laws on Louisiana books

Local News

Colder temperatures will remain across SW La. this week

McNeese Sports

Cowboys sign 4 on eve of semester

Local News

Second Harvest mobilizes to support South Louisiana during extreme cold 

Local News

SW La. resident — who was nation’s first severe bird flu case — has died

McNeese Sports

Garcia earns SLC honor

Crime

1/6: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Congress certifies Trump’s 2024 win — without the Jan. 6 mob violence of four years ago

Local News

Jeff Davis School Board’s new president explains his vision for new year

Local News

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation

Local News

Biden traveling to New Orleans following French Quarter attack that killed 14

McNeese Sports

Cowboys set to add trio of FBS players

life

What are your hopes for the new year? We asked readers to share their thoughts

Local News

Trump will be sentenced Jan. 10, but judge indicates no jail time

Local News

Cold front, severe weather expected in SW La. Sunday afternoon

McNeese Sports

Cowboys, Garcia stay hot

Local News

Qualifying opens later this month for March 29 elections

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls rally behind defense

Local News

School security service Stratigos to file for bankruptcy

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:State auto insurance sky high

Local News

Former Allen police jurors ‘Buddy’ Farris dies

Business

LC business owner sentenced for Clean Air Act violations

Local News

New Orleans attacker made pit stop in Sulphur