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City Commemorates Flag Day

06/14/2021
City Commemorates Flag Day

The city and the 114-year-old Allentown Flag Day Association held a Flag Day observance at 12 noon today outside City Hall.

Flag Day has its origin back in 1885 in a Fredonia, Wisconsin elementary school, where a teacher promoted June 14 as “Flag Birthday.” 

The celebration first came to Pennsylvania in 1891.  In 1893, the school superintendent of the City of Philadelphia directed that Flag Day exercises be held in Independence Square.  Each child carried a small flag. Patriotic songs were sung and addresses were delivered.

The Allentown Flag Day Association is the oldest incorporated Flag Day Association in America.  President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress in 1949 designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.

Retired Allentown Chief of Police and current Lehigh County Sheriff Joe Hanna was the principal speaker.

Mayor Ray O'Connell issued a Flag Day proclamation at today's event.

The Allentown Band is the featured performer at a Flag Day program to be held at 7 o’clock tonight at West Park.

Posted in: Homepage, Parks & Recreation | View Count: (2662)