Sunday, June 9, 2013

USA Celebrates Flag Day, June 14

I'm sharing this article that I wrote and published online in June 2009. A tribute to our USA flag.  For me, this holiday is very personal because I remember my Mother's birthday on Flag Day.  My Mother always loved to display our flag on her special day.

A Holiday which America Celebrates the Anniversary of the Flag



 
Flag Day, June 14, is now an official holiday and tradition of the USA Flag symbol which was started in the 1800s by children in elementary schools.  


Fourth of July is a popular USA holiday where people take extended weekend vacations in the summer months and gather together in local communities to participate in parades, picnics, and fireworks to celebrate the birth of USA.

A not so well known holiday celebration, FlagDay, June 14, in United States. People shower USA with flags on the fronts of businesses and homes to celebrate the USA flag, which was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777.  In some cities, there are traditions to give children small flags to carry with them throughout the day.

The USA flag is a symbol to remind people of the history, national pride, and independence of USA. The American Flag is even celebrated through the words of the National Anthem, the "Star Spangled Banner." 


It is with respect which Americans follow certain rules when they display their flags:
  • It is to be flown during daylight and when it is not raining.
  • The flag should never be dipped or flown upside down.
  • It is not be used for advertising purposes.
  • When lowered to be put away, no part of the flag should touch the ground, it should be received by waiting, hands and arms, and folded in a ceremoniously way.
  • It should be cleaned and mended.
President Truman signed the official “Act of Congress” on August 3, 1949 appointing June 14th of each year as National Flag Day after Woodrow Wilson officially set up the Proclamation on May 30th, 1916 declaring this anniversary of the 1777 resolution to the American flag.


Shoreline Park, Mountain View CA Courtesy of D West

Children First Celebrated USA Flags in Elementary Schools

Children in elementary schools played a significant role in celebrating the USA flag in the late 1880’s when B.J. Cigrand arranged a celebration for the children in his classroom in Wisconsin to recognize this anniversary of the flag. Geogre Balch arranged ceremonies for kindergarten children in New York City which was recognized later by the State Board of Education in New York and Pennsylvania.

Leroy Van Horn, together with Cigrand, formed the American Flag Day Association and were successful in assembling the celebration for 300,000 children through Chicago in parks of Douglas, Garfield, Humboldt, Lincoln, and Washington honoring the USA flag.
 

Ted Roosevelt’s Story of the Flag

A story from 1908 passed down through generations is as follows: 


"On June 14, Theodore Roosevelt saw a man wiping his nose on what he believed was the USA Flag. He quickly walked over and started hitting the man with a small wooden stick. He then realized the man was using a blue hankerchief with white stars to wipe his nose.
 

Roosevelt was quick to apologize for his behavior, although struck him one more time because he had become “riled up with national pride” with this similarity the cloth had to the flag."

Soon after this incident, in 1914, Secretary of Interior, Franklin K. Lane, delivered a speech in which he repeated words he said the flag had spoken to him that morning: 


"I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself."

The USA Flag is a symbol which is rich in history and traditions of American people and is celebrated on June 14 every year throughout local communities across the USA.


Happy Birthday and Flag Day, Mother!  ~ The Fun Tour Guru  


Keep reading:  Solo through our Nation's Capitol

Source Used:


The Flag of the United States of America.


Image of flags from BostonUSA.com 

Join us on a trip:  Travel Together

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Santa Clara CA: Levi's Stadium, New Home of 49ers and Superbowl 50

A "super" size big deal. In Santa Clara, CA. 

I watched the live stream where the NFL voted in the first round to have Superbowl 50 (in the year 2016) in our new Santa Clara Levi's Stadium. And, with a tweet of this. Wow, this is my neighborhood.  It is great to be a part of history-in-the-making.  

You may read the official news, facts, and figures on our City of Santa Clara website and there is even a live view web cam of the building activity available.  Our Santa Clara Convention and Visitors Bureau website has a Superbowl 50 link with the latest news on hashtag #SCSuperbowl and the stadium building activity live view web cam link too.  

I watched this monster building activity growing the past couple of years as I drive by every week.  The following pictures I have are real, and not just from an architect drawing.  I took the pictures on the day after the Superbowl 50 announcement. May 2013

Santa Clara CA Levi Stadium Courtesy DWest All Rights.
Santa Clara CA Levi Stadium, New Home of 49ers and Superbowl 50

Above, you are looking east towards the Diablo Range and Mt Hamilton (San Francisco bay area highest peak) and our City of San Jose, or what we call the Capital of Silicon Valley today.   


Santa Clara CA Levi Stadium Courtesy of D West All Rights.
Santa Clara CA Levi Stadium - New Home of the 49ers and Superbowl 50
Above, I was standing in our Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club parking lot, golf course behind me,  which is (approx) north of the stadium.  The 49er Headquarters is to the left of the stadium.


Santa Clara CA Levi Stadium Courtesy of D WEst
Close Up of Santa Clara Stadium - End View Courtesy of DWest

Above picture, close up of our new stadium.  Santa Clara CA



City of Santa Clara parking, courtesy of D West


Above, Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club is on the right side and our new parking facility is straight ahead, following the palm trees.  Our convention center is tucked away behind the parking facility.  The other high rise building in the distance is the Westin Santa Clara. Behind this, continue to the local towns of Sunnyvale and Mountain View.



Great America Amusement Courtesy D West
California's Great America Amusement Park, Santa Clara CA - Courtesy D West

The above picture, I turned slightly around without moving my feet, to my right, after taking the very first picture.  California's Great America Amusement Park.  You are able to see the top of the roller coasters and the pointed roof of the Carousel.  


Santa Clara CA Courtesy DWest
49ers Headquarters, Santa Clara CA, Before the new stadium Courtesy DWest

It is a big deal. Superbowl 50 in Santa Clara ~ The Fun Tour Guru


Santa Clara CA Resources