WOODLAND HILLS : Few Celebrate Birthday of American Flag
Basking in the afterglow of D-day anniversary celebrations, Old Glory was raised Tuesday over porches, school playgrounds, businesses and public buildings throughout the San Fernando Valley to mark its birthday.
Flag Day--the often-overlooked cousin of Independence Day--celebrates the date in 1777 when the Continental Congress chose an official banner of 13 stars and 13 stripes to unite the infant nation.
The design of the flag was reworked as the nation grew, as did the flag’s meanings.
“We cried when we came back and saw this flag,” said Lou DeSantis, who served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. “Everybody should put it up. It means different things to different people. But when I see that flag, man, it makes me feel good.”
Very few formal observances of Flag Day were held this year. But in Woodland Hills, members of the local American Legion post explained the meaning of Flag Day to youngsters at Lockhurst Elementary School in a colorful ceremony.
June 14 was declared Flag Day in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, but remained an unofficial holiday until 1949, when Congress issued a joint proclamation recognizing it.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
