June 14: Flag Day
On this date in 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the flag of the United States.
Listen to "Barbara Frietchie" on Lit2Go
This well-known poem by John Whittier includes the lines, “‘Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country’s flag,’ she said.” Although Fritchie lived in Frederick, Maryland and was a Unionist, her neighbor Mary Quantrell was probably the person who waved the Union flag at the Confederate troops marching through town. Lit2Go Duration: 2 minutes, 53 seconds.
Marine Corps War Memorial
Statue of Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima, part of the Marine Corps War Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Dozens more photos of this memorial are available from the ClipPix ETC website.
Sergeant Hart at Fort Sumter
Peter Hart nails the flag to an improvised flagpole at Fort Sumter after a Confederate shot snapped the fort’s flagpole. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.
Mirrored Star Spangled Banner
A mirrored sculpture of the Star Spangled Banner hands in the lobby of the National Museum of American History in Washington. Photo from the ClipPix ETC website.
Washington Monument and Flags
Fifty US flags—one for each state— surround the Washington Monument. Photo from the ClipPix ETC website.
Flag at Apollo 11 Launch
The American flag heralds the flight of Apollo 11, the first Lunar landing mission. Photo from the ClipPix ETC website.
Betsy Ross Marionette
Betsy Ross puppet holding an American flag from the ClipPix ETC website.
US Flags in Color
Gallery of US flags throughout history with various numbers of stars. Illustrations from the ClipArt ETC website.
US Flags in Black-and-White
Gallery of US flags as black-and-white line art suitable for coloring and other activities. Illustrations from the ClipArt ETC website.
Planting the Flag
A soldier plants a US flag into the ground during the Civil War. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.
Old Flag
The old flag again on Sumter–raised (on a temporary staff formed of an oar and boathook) by Captain H. M. Bragg, of General Gillmore’s staff, February 18th, 1865 from the ClipArt ETC website.
Flag in the Sun
A US flag backlit by the sun from the US Flags gallery on the ClipPix ETC website.
50-Star Flag
Color illustration of a 50-Star United States flag. The additional star represents the state of Hawaii. This flag has been used since July 04, 1960. Illustration from the ClipArt ETC website.
50-Star Flag Waving
Illustration of a 50-star US flag from the ClipPix ETC website.
US Flag at Arlington
An American flag waving in the breeze at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo from the ClipPix ETC website.
45-Star Flag
Illustration of US flag with 45 stars from the ClipArt ETC website.