What is Flag Day?

Flag Day is an American holiday held every June 14th. The first Flag Day took place in 1916, following a presidential proclamation by then-president Woodrow Wilson.

While the holiday itself didn't get its start until 1916, the event that inspired it is much older. Flag Day commemorates the day in 1777 when the young and newly-formed government of the United States officially adopted the "Betsy Ross Flag" as its own.

Flag Day is traditionally accompanied by widespread flying of the American flag and, in some areas, parades and other celebrations. Flag Day is not technically a federal holiday, and has to be proclaimed by the president every year.