Dear Friends,

Every year on June 14, we celebrate the birthday of the Stars and Stripes, which came into being on June 14, 1777. At that time, the Second Continental Congress authorized a new flag to symbolize the new nation, the United States of America.

The first national observance of Flag Day occurred June 14, 1877, the centennial of the original flag resolution. By the mid 1890s the observance of Flag Day on June 14 was a popular event and, due to growing public support for an official national observance, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14. It was not until 1949, however, that Congress made this day a permanent observance by resolving “That the 14th day of June of each year is hereby designated as Flag Day…”

For information on the history of the flag, as well as appropriate practices and observances, please contact me to request a copy of the booklet, Our Flag. This publication, which also includes details about each of the state flags, is available, free of charge, through my office, while supplies last.

To request a copy of Our Flag, e-mail me or contact my Overland Park office at (913) 383-2013. Bulk quantities are available for school and university groups, church groups, area study groups and other Third District residents.

Our flag has long been a symbol of strength and hope and continues to be a source of pride for Americans. I hope that this publication will be both useful and informative to you and that you will continue to join Americans everywhere to honor the history and heritage our flag represents.

Very truly yours,

DENNIS MOORE
Member of Congress