Happy Flag Day, 2026!

Today is Flag Day, the start of the 250th year since the approval by the Second Continental Congress in 1777 of the “Stars and Stripes” as the American flag during the Revolutionary War. As I have posted, the day has been overshadowed in recent years by the celebration of the Juneteenth federal and state holiday. Although I am not necessarily arguing for a return of Flag Day as a federal and state holiday, I do urge sufficient recognition of the day for the public to consider its significance. They should recall the context of the flag and the symbolism of its design. This year’s Flag Day is being celebrated in the context of the year-long celebrations of the 250th anniversary of American Independence. I had posted about the United States Mint’s semi-quincentennial coin designs, but not about any other commemorations. There has been decreased enthusiasm among Americans about the upcoming “America 250” Independence Day celebration because Donald Trump has been presiding over some of federal commemorations. The authoritarianism of Trump, his congressional enablers, and their supporters that has undermined key American principles, such as the separation of powers, the rule of law, due process of law, the independence of the judiciary, and States’ rights, in addition to Trump’s Caesarism, have dampened enthusiasm. But Flag Day reminds us that just at the flag belongs to all Americans, the American Revolution does not belong to one man or even to one party or movement, but is for all Americans and, because it is based upon universal rights, it is also for all humanity. Americans should be reminded of the fundamental Revolutionary principles that are currently being challenged by ignorance, indifference and even contempt, not only from the far left, but also from the Trumpist far right, and amplified by hostile foreign powers. By discussing and contemplating the American Revolution, Americans, including those Trumpists who ought to know better, should particularly be reminded that liberty is the birthright of all men, not a privilege only of citizens. Therefore, I urge Americans to read the most important documents of the Revolution, such as the Declaration of Independence and other important texts, the most significant writings of the Founding Fathers, or histories written by trusted authors about the Revolution and the Founders. I also encourage them to visit historic sites, particularly those associated with the Revolution and the Founders. At this time when liberty and representative government are especially under assault, may the Spirit of '76 be rekindled anew among Americans.