Honoring the American Flag on Flag Day today, June 14, we commemorate the adoption of the United States flag, a symbol of freedom, unity, and patriotism that has waved proudly for over two centuries.

Since President Woodrow Wilson declared June 14 Flag Day in May 1916, the United States has honored the adoption of the stars and stripes in a number of ways, including carrying the flag in parades, displaying it outside homes and holding other patriotic events. Before 1916, a number of states and cities had started to observe the day.