Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that designated June 14 as Flag Day. On August 3, 1949, National Flag Day was officially established by an Act of Congress, although Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. Title 36 of the United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, CHAPTER 1, § 110 is the official statute on Flag Day; however, it is at the president’s discretion to officially proclaim the observance:

The Flag Code does more than create Flag Day, it sets forth rules for the proper care and display of the flag. In U.S. Patent No. 9,672,761 on a Flag and Banner Display System for Motor Vehicles and the Like, the inventor, Cory Allen, addressed a problem create by the Flag Code

His solution: mounting the flag to a vehicle with a zipper:

Which neatly illustrates the interrelated nature of invention, and the genius of the patent system. Mr. Allen’s solution to the Flag Day dilemma depended upon the earlier work of a Swedish electrical engineer, Gideon Sundback, inventor of the modern zipper:

Of course, Sundback was no doubt aided by Whitcomb Judson’s 1893 “Clasp Locker,” and Elias Howe, Jr.’s 1851 “Automatic, Continuous Clothing Closure.” And yes, this is the same Elias Howe who invented the sewing machine.

Happy Flag day and display your flags properly!