Honda of El Cerrito Celebrates Flag Day

Sandwiched between two well-known American holidays—Memorial Day at the end of May and Independence Day on July 4^th—June 14^th (otherwise known as Flag Day) often passes us by without a second thought. However, Flag Day is an important holiday, a part of America’s historic past that demonstrates the dedication of citizens to our great country.

Today, Flag Day commemorates the day that the Continental Congress first adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official American flag—June 14, 1777. As the story goes, the holiday was first celebrated on June 14, 1885. On this day, Bernard Cigrand, a school teacher in Wisconsin, placed a flag on his desk and asked his students to write essays on the American flag and its significance. Cigrand devoted the rest of his life to bringing about national recognition and the observance of Flag Day.

On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson called for a nation-wide observance of Flay Day—a huge achievement for Cigrand. Years later, President Truman signed a congressional act to officially designate June 14^th as National Flag Day.

This Flag Day, don’t forget to take a moment to honor our flag and all that it stands for. We at Honda of El Cerrito will be doing the same.