Today is Flag Day, a holiday that goes back informally to the early days of our nation’s founding. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (PDF), however, “Both President Wilson, in 1916, and President Coolidge, in 1927, issued proclamations asking for June 14 to be observed as the National Flag Day. But it wasn’t until August 3, 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law.”

This is a photo of the flag flying proudly over the parking lot of Arrowhead Plaza in Bismarck on the morning of December 12th, 2009. I was early for a meeting nearby, so I meandered over to the lot to catch the colors for a few minutes. Shortly afterward I found myself sitting between the Attorney General and Secretary of State, drinking orange juice and taking in a very fascinating briefing.

Today, June 14th, also marks a significant even in our nation’s history. In 1954, Congress passed a joint resolution adding the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. On June 14th of that year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law. This has at times been controversial, although only to people who tend to affiliate themselves with a particular political party (ahem).

Display the flag proudly if you have the means to do so! Governor Jack Dalrymple has put out a proclamation “encouraging North Dakotans to observe the days from Flag Day through Independence Day as a time to honor America, to celebrate our rich heritage, and to express our gratitude to those who have secured our freedoms and to those who defend them still today.” Amen to that.