June 14th marks an eventful day for the Army: National Flag Day and its 247th Birthday!
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National Flag Day
National Flag Day, observed annually since 1777, Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as our national symbol. Americans have to express their patriotism and show appreciation for our national character. Although National Flag Day isn’t technically a public holiday, it remains an opportunity to remember those who have given their lives protecting our nation; many sacrificed themselves while keeping the colors flying high!
National Flag Day’s history begins with Bernard J. Cigrand, a school teacher from Wisconsin who petitioned President Woodrow Wilson for its official celebration on June 14, 1916. Following Cigrand’s efforts and essay published in a newspaper that called for it, President Wilson decreed June 14 as National Flag Day and promulgated an official proclamation by declaring National Flag Day observance day.
Although the federal government doesn’t officially recognize Flag Day, civic groups and organizations nationwide recognize its significance with parades, essay contests, public gatherings, and other activities that honor its history and importance.
Additionally, Flag Day provides an opportunity to educate children on our nation’s flag’s history and proper usage. Furthermore, this day honors those who have served to defend our freedoms while serving their nation.
Each year, the National Flag Day Foundation works hard to uphold our nation’s traditions, history, pride, and respect for Old Glory by honoring her with an event on Flag Day. They also promote it nationally!
The current flag has been used for over 50 years and was first flown on the moon by Neil Armstrong in 1969. Hawaii-themed 50th star flags were added later; today, six American flags are flying on its surface.
Memorial and Labor Day may be better-known holidays, but Flag Day deserves as much recognition. Although it doesn’t involve paid time off from work, Flag Day gives us a day to remember those who have made great sacrifices for our nation and celebrate it together. The National Flag Day Foundation offers ideas on commemorating it while their Days Until calculator displays precisely how many days there are until any given event.
Army Birthday
The Army Birthday commemorates the establishment of the Continental Army in 1775. As its inaugural army in America, this unit played an instrumental role in winning the Revolutionary War – and George Washington found inspiration from this battle for creating an effective militia organized under a uniform national system – something it continues to follow today.
The US Army is one of the six military services widely known, boasting 20.4 million living veterans. Furthermore, this institution is widely revered for their longstanding dedication to free societies and protecting its citizens; many people celebrate its birthday through parades and other commemorative activities.
Even though this day isn’t officially recognized as a holiday, it provides the ideal opportunity to express our thanks to both current and former military members while honoring those who have courageously served our country with honor. You can show yours by sending a card or sharing your appreciation of what the Army means to you on social media.
Anyone wishing to gain more insight into the Army’s past can visit its website, which provides information on its past, present, and future and a timeline that lists essential milestones and significant moments throughout history.
Not only can you access information on the Army through online resources, but you can also find more insight by following its Facebook page. Here, you’ll find images, videos, stories, and a blog with interviews of soldiers and their families – an additional source of knowledge on its past!
Soon, the Army will celebrate its 243rd birthday, and to mark this special event, The Exchange is offering one-day discounts on select products and services – such as 10 cents off per gallon fuel at Exchange fuel locations and 15% off meals at participating Exchange restaurants with Military star cards – which will only last on June 14! Whether you are an individual or a business – everyone can participate and honor the Army on this memorable day!
World Blood Donor Day
Each year, on June 14, World Blood Donor Day is observed to bring attention to the need for a steady supply of safe blood and its components and to recognize all those donors who help ensure patients can access care when necessary. This year’s campaign theme: ‘Give blood, give plasma, share life and donate often.”
Blood donations are essential for many reasons, from emergency surgeries and chronic illnesses to cancer treatments and screenings. Every two seconds in America alone requires a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, while demand remains constant, availability may not.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic has affected donation numbers, its necessity remains vital to patients undergoing surgery or suffering traumatic injuries and those with chronic illnesses like leukemia. Vitalant collected approximately 13,000 fewer donations during April and May due to COVID-19; however, demand should remain high in June and July.
As demand for blood remains consistent, we must continue to promote blood donation among eligible individuals and encourage their donations. Donating blood can make an incredibly impactful statement about community values such as kindness, unity, and commitment that support patients who are in need.
World Blood Donor Day is observed annually on June 14. First commemorated in 2004, this unique event acknowledges the need for a reliable supply of safe and high-quality blood products and honoring volunteer donors for their lifesaving contributions.
Hospitals need a safe, reliable blood supply to function, so donors are carefully screened for various health-related conditions that must meet federal and state requirements. Tests include physical exams, laboratory screening, and interviews; once healthy donors have been determined, they may donate up to three times annually.
Keeping safe blood flowing globally is an ongoing challenge for many countries, particularly developing ones. While most can rely on voluntary, unpaid donors to meet most of their blood needs, some still rely on family or paid donations for blood.
First Non-Stop Transatlantic Flight
Lord Northcliffe, proprietor of the Daily Mail, offered a prize of PS10,000 to any pilot who could successfully fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, this competition had to be postponed during World War One, but it was reopened when aviation made incredible advances after 1918. Several aviators attempted their luck, but none succeeded until John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown arrived determined to complete this journey across the ocean.
On June 23, 1919, two individuals flew a modified Vickers Vimy bomber plane from St. John’s to Ireland in an attempt to complete what would become one of the first transatlantic airmail flights ever attempted. Unfortunately, their journey wasn’t an easy one as there are over 1,960 miles between Newfoundland and Ireland with obstacles like fog, ice, and sleep deprivation along the way – yet they made it in just 24 days and received honorary recognition as heroes from Winston Churchill; plus they carried some mail on board making this historic flight a first!
Commercial airplane flights were not regular until 1928 when American pilot Charles Lindbergh made history by becoming the first to make a solo nonstop flight from New York to Paris using his single-engined Ryan M-2 aircraft, The Spirit of St Louis. Although challenging, Lindbergh’s journey opened a new era of air travel.
Although international flights were temporarily suspended following the influenza pandemic in 2020, demand has since returned, and airlines now provide over 150 daily flights between the US and the UK – thanks partly to longer-range narrowbody jets like Boeing 747-400s and Airbus A321LRs.
Concorde set the record for the fastest JFK-London Heathrow flight time by a subsonic airliner in 1996 with 4 hours and 53 minutes of travel between these airports, which will no doubt be broken by long-range widebody aircraft operating between these cities in future flights – this should make passenger travel more comfortable while cutting time spent waiting at airports, while at the same time benefitting both economy and environment.
