If someone asked you what is the significance of June 14, would you know the answer?

Unfortunately, many Americans don't know that June 14 is Flag Day. It is the day when we celebrate our nation's most glorious symbol, the American flag. Perhaps a bit of history will help bring the occasion into focus.

The idea of a specific day to celebrate our flag is generally credited to B.J. Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher, who, in 1885, arranged for students in his school district to observe June 14, the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of the Stars and Stripes, as flag birthday. In the following years, Cigrand continued to promote flag birthday or Flag Day in numerous newspaper and magazine articles and public speeches.

On June 14, 1889, New York City kindergarten teacher George Balch planned Flag Day ceremonies for his students. Subsequently, his idea of observing Flag Day was adopted by the New York State Board of Education. Other organizations in New York State and Pennsylvania also began observing Flag Day.

On April 25, 1893, following the suggestion of Colonel J. Granville Leach, historian of the Pennsylvania Sons of the Revolution, the Pennsylvania Grand Dames of America adopted a resolution requesting the mayor of Philadelphia and all others in authority to display the flag on June 14.

Leach also recommended that, thereafter, the day be known as Flag Day, and that school children be assembled for appropriate ceremonies, with each child being given a small flag. On May 8, the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution endorsed the action of the Society of Colonial Dames, which prompted Philadelphia Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edward Brooks to direct that Flag Day exercises be held on June 14 in Independence Square. School children, each carrying a small flag, were assembled and patriotic songs were sung and speeches delivered.

In 1894, the governor of New York, Roswell P. Flower, directed that on June 14, the flag be displayed on all public buildings. With B.J. Cigrand and Leroy Van Horn as the moving spirits, an Illinois organization known as the American Flag Day Association was organized for the purpose of promoting the holding of Flag Day exercises. On June 14, 1898, under the auspices of this organization, the Chicago School District held the first general public school celebration of Flag Day in which more than 300,000 children participated.

In the ensuing years, the observance of Flag Day remained informal, although more public officials began encouraging Flag Day activities. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson gave the day a boost when he issued the first Flag Day proclamation, but it wasn't until 1949 that Congress adopted the National Flag Day Bill designating June 14 as National Flag Day.

The American Flag shines throughout the world as a beacon of liberty, freedom and rights for all. It is the true standard that represents the highest ideals of American democracy. In the words of President Woodrow Wilson, "Though silent, it speaks to us -- speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us and of the records they wrote upon it." On Flag Day, let us reflect on the significance of our flag. It stands for everything we have, everything we are and everything we hope to become.