Flag Day is celebrated annually on June 14th in the United States to honor the adoption of the official American flag. The day holds significance as a symbol of unity, pride, and patriotism. The origins of Flag Day can be traced back to the late 19th century and a small town in Southeastern Wisconsin.
The roots of Flag Day can be found in the efforts a schoolteacher named Bernard Cigrand, who is considered one of the early advocates for the celebration of the American flag. Born in Waubeka, Wisconsin in 1866, Cigrand was inspired by his love for the flag and began promoting the idea of honoring it with a dedicated day. He believed that the flag represented the ideals and values of the nation and deserved special recognition.
In 1885, Cigrand held the first recognized Flag Day celebration in his classroom at Stony Hill School in Waubeka. This event would mark the beginning of a movement to establish a national day to honor the flag. Over the years, even after he moved away, Cigrand continued to champion the cause, writing articles and delivering speeches advocating for the importance of recognizing the flag’s significance.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing June 14th as Flag Day, solidifying its place in the national calendar. The date of June 14th was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States in 1777.
Flag Day is celebrated in various ways across the country, with communities coming together to honor the flag and the principles it represents. But nowhere is it more venerated than in Waubeka in Ozaukee County.
Waubeka has a land area of approximately 5.15 square miles. The population of Waubeka has historically been quite small, as off the most recent census data, Waubeka had a population of around 600 residents.
This past Sunday, June 9th, Waubeka celebrated it’s 78th Flag Day celebration with it’s customary parade, family festivities and fireworks.
Flag Day serves as a reminder of the importance of the American flag as a symbol of freedom, unity, and democracy. It is a day to reflect on the sacrifices made to uphold these ideals and to reaffirm our commitment to the principles that the flag represents. Through celebration and reflection, Flag Day continues to be a meaningful observance that brings people together in honor of the flag and the nation it symbolizes.
And the day all began, right here, in Wisconsin!
