Mayor's Message - June 2021
Flag Day is held each year on June 14th to commemorate the adoption of the United States Flag.
The adoption of the flag of the United States happened on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The first American Flag was known as the “Stars and Stripes” or “Old Glory,” and replaced the British symbol of the Grand Union Flag with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes—one for each state.
The American fraternal order and social club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, has celebrated the holiday since the early days of the organization. The Elks later prompted President Woodrow Wilson to recognize the order’s observance of Flag Day for its patriotic expression. President Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance event on June 14, 1916. However, Flag Day did not become official until August 3,1949, when President Harry Truman signed legislation and proclaimed June 14th as Flag Day. In 1966, the United States Congress requested that the President annually issue a proclamation designating the week in which June 14th occurs as National Flag Week at which time all United States citizens are urged to fly the American Flag for the duration of the week.
This year Oakland’s Flag Day Ceremony shall be held on Monday, June 14, 2021, 6:00 p.m., at the Oakland Elks Lodge #2167, located at 33 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, N.J. 07436.