A stone schoolhouse stands about a mile northeast of the small Wisconsin town of Waubeka. In front of it is an American flag proudly waving in the breeze. in 1885, the schools 19 year old teacher, Bernard J. Cigrand promoted June 14, 1885 as a day to honor the nations flag and proudly flew it over the little stone schoolhouse. He chose June 14th because It was on June 14, 1777 that the flag was officially adopted by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress.
He later moved to Chicago to study dentistry and later became a professor of dentistry and a college dean but he never gave up his passion for establishing a national Flag Day. Cigrand lectured to crowds around the country promoting patriotism, respect for the flag, and the need for the annual observance of a flag day. in 1916, June 14 was declared as National Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson, who said, “the Flag has vindicated its right to be honored by all nations of the world and feared by none who do righteousness.”
There were a few other people that pushed the government to establish a flag day, but Cigrand is credited with being the “Father of Flag Day.” The little stone schoolhouse was renovated in the 1950s and a state historical marker stands nearby telling the story of its teacher and the flag.
Thank you for Subscribing to Lost In The States, If you have not subscribed yet, It would mean a lot to me if you did.