The Stony Hill School in Waubeka, Wisconsin is a one-room school where on June 14, 1885, the teacher, 19-year-old Bernard J. Cigrand held the first observance of "Flag Day. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. 🇺🇸
Did a little research and found this memorial bust of Bernard J. Cigrand, founder of Flag Day, located at the Americanism Center, The National Flag Day Foundation in Waubeka Wisconsin.
Here’s a passage from their website, I’ll post the link to it in the comment section so you can learn more 😊🇺🇸
“In Waubeka, Wisconsin, in 1885 Bernard J. Cigrand a nineteen year old school teacher in a one room school placed a 10” 38 star flag in an inkwell and had his students write essays on what the flag meant to them. He called June 14th the flag’s birthday. Stony Hill School is now a historical site. From that day on Bernard J. Cigrand dedicated himself to inspire not only his students but also all Americans in the real meaning and majesty of our flag.”
After 30 years of Cigrand's advocacy, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day in 1916. On August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress recognizing the holiday of Flag Day and encouraging Americans to celebrate it.
On June 14, 2004, 108th U.S. Congress unanimously voted on H.R. 662 declaring Flag Day originated in Waubeka, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.
#Flagday
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DID YOU KNOW...FRANCIS HOPKINSON, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey and member of the Continental Marine Committee that designed the flag, is recognized by some as the designer of the Stars and Stripes flag? Journals of the Continental Congress and letters from Hopkinson in 1780 requesting compensation for the flag design support his claims. Hopkinson, however did not receive payment from Congress for his design work. He was told others had also contributed to the design.
Francis Hopkinson used his pen as a weapon writing many satirical productions that boosted the morale of the Patriots. Hopkinson’s Bordentown home was looted by the Hessians in 1776 and 1778. His house survived, unlike the home of his father-in-law across the street, but many of his books and manuscripts were taken.
Pictured is an image of the design Francis Hopkinson may have come up with (along with input from others according to Congress 😉) note that the stars have 6 points.
How could a Flag Day post not mention Betsy Ross? 😉🇺🇸
George Ross was the last of the Pennsylvania delegation to sign the Declaration of Independence. His nephew married Betsy...who became Betsy Ross of American Flag fame 🇺🇸 Couldn’t find a statue of George or Betsy Ross... but found this stamp commemorating them 😊 In 1952, he, George Washington, and Robert Morris appeared on a three-cent stamp commemorating Betsy Ross.
Diana Erbio is a freelance writer and author of “Coming to America: A Girl Struggles to Find her Way in a New World”. Visit her on Facebook and read her blog series “Statues: The People They Salute” . Subscribe to her Substack Newsletter
Statues: The People They Salute
Great info Diana. Thank you.
Sure wish I could claim those Rosses, both George and Betsy, but alas, I don't believe so - even though the first of my line was a George Ross, and there many after him. Oh, well. At least I can sew. 😊