Vexillarium

Flag of the Day

2007-03-06T05:49:00.000-06:00

Today is Independence Day in Ghana.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2007-03-04T07:18:00.000-06:00

Today is Confederate Flag Day--the anniversary of the adoption of the first flag of the Confederate States of America in 1861, and the third and final Confederate flag in 1865. It is also Charter Day in Pennsylvania; Magka Puja in Thailand; and Statehood Day in Vermont.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2007-03-02T05:01:00.000-06:00

Today is Independence Day in Morocco and Texas; and Farmers Day in Myanmar (Burma).

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2007-02-28T05:51:00.000-06:00

Today is Independence Day in Egypt; and Finnish Culture Day.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2007-02-27T04:20:00.000-06:00

Today is Flag Day in Antigua and Barbuda. It is also Independence Day in the Dominican Republic; and Republic Day in Western Sahara.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flag of the Day

2007-02-26T06:04:00.000-06:00

Today is Liberation Day in Kuwait.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2007-02-25T08:43:00.000-06:00

Today is the First Sunday of Lent; and Flag Day in Bangladesh and Peru. It is also National Day in Kuwait; and People's Revolution Day in the Philippines.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2007-02-24T11:38:00.000-06:00

Today is Flag Day in Mexico. It is also Independence Day in Estonia and Latvia.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2007-02-20T04:22:00.000-06:00

Today is Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2007-02-18T09:14:00.000-06:00

Today is Chinese New Year (the Year of the Pig). It is also Independence Day in Gambia, and Democracy Day in Nepal.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flag of the Day

2007-01-22T05:54:00.000-06:00

Today is Discovery Day in Saint Vincent.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

2007-01-19T06:51:00.000-06:00

Today is Robert E. Lee's 200th birthday; but the flags are flown at half-mast in mourning for President Gerald R. Ford.

On 5 August 1975 President Ford signed a Joint Resolution of the Congress restoring General Lee's US citizenship. At that time, the president said:

Flag of the Day

2007-01-15T05:57:00.000-06:00

Today is Martin Luther King Day in the United States of America; but the flag is still flown at half-mast in mourning for President Gerald R. Ford.

Flags of the Day

2007-01-14T06:51:00.000-06:00

Today is Coming of Age Day in Japan.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Happy New Year! Today is the Eighth Day of Christmas!

2007-01-01T09:38:00.000-06:00

It is also the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God; and Independence Day in Cameroon, Haiti, Samoa and Sudan.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Today is the Seventh Day of Christmas!

2006-12-31T19:07:00.000-06:00

It is also the memorial of Pope St. Sylvester I.

Today is the Sixth Day of Christmas!

2006-12-30T16:11:00.000-06:00

It is also Rizal Day in the Philippines.

Today is the Fifth Day of Christmas!

2006-12-29T07:08:00.000-06:00

It is also the memorial of St. Thomas Becket; and Statehood Day in Texas.

Today is the Fourth Day of Christmas!

2006-12-28T04:10:00.000-06:00

It is also the feast of the Holy Innocents.

President Gerald R. Ford is dead.

2006-12-27T07:01:00.000-06:00

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES:

It is my sad duty to announce officially the death of Gerald R. Ford, the thirty-eighth President of the United States, on December 26, 2006.

President Ford was a great man who devoted the best years of his life to serving the United States of America. He was also a true gentleman who reflected the best in America's character. Before the world knew his name, he served with distinction in the United States Navy and the United States House of Representatives. As a congressman from Michigan, and then as Vice President, he commanded the respect and earned the goodwill of all who had the privilege of knowing him. On August 9, 1974, he stepped into the presidency without having ever sought the office.

During his time in office, the American people came to know President Ford as a man of complete integrity, who led our country with common sense and kind instincts. Americans will always admire Gerald Ford's unflinching performance of duty, the honorable conduct of his Administration, and the great rectitude of the man himself. We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our thirty-eighth President will always have a special place in our Nation's memory.

President Ford lived 93 years, and his life was a blessing to America. Now this fine man will be taken to his rest by a family that will love him always and by a Nation that will be grateful to him forever.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of Gerald R. Ford, and as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all buildings, grounds, and Naval vessels of the United States for a period of 30 days from the day of his death. I also direct that for the same length of time, the representatives of the United States in foreign countries shall make similar arrangements for the display of the flag at half-staff over their Embassies, Legations, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and stations.

I hereby order that suitable honors be rendered by units of the Armed Forces under orders of the Secretary of Defense.

In a further expression of our national grief, I will appoint in a subsequent proclamation a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States when the American people may assemble in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President Ford.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Today is the Third Day of Christmas!

2006-12-27T06:57:00.000-06:00

It is also the feast of St. John the Evangelist.

Wishing you all very happy First Day of Christmas!

2006-12-25T10:50:00.000-06:00

Flags of the Day

2006-12-09T05:42:00.000-06:00

Today is Independence Day/National Day in Tanzania; and the feast of St. Juan Diego.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-12-08T08:29:00.000-06:00

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Concept of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also Lady of Camarin Day in Guam; Enlightenment of the Buddha Day in Japan; School Reunion Day in Spain; Mothers Day in Spain and Panama; and Family Day in Uruguay.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

2006-12-07T05:09:00.000-06:00

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Sixty-five years ago, more than 2,400 Americans lost their lives in a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we think of those who died on December 7, 1941, and honor all those who sacrificed for our liberty during World War II.

On that peaceful Sunday morning, our country suffered a vicious, unprovoked attack that changed the course of history. Though our Pacific Fleet was nearly destroyed, our citizens were inspired by the great acts of heroism from those who survived and from those who did not. In the days that followed, our grief turned to resolution, and America embarked on a mission to defeat two of the most ruthless regimes the world has ever known. We pledge to always remember the character and sacrifice of the brave individuals at Pearl Harbor. Their selfless service helped deliver a great victory for the cause of freedom and, ultimately, transformed adversaries into the closest of friends.

After the devastating attacks on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared, "We are going to win the war and we are going to win the peace that follows." In the 21st century, freedom is again under attack, and young Americans have stepped forward to serve in a global war on terror that will secure our liberty and determine the destiny of millions around the world. Like generations before, we will answer history's call with confidence, confront threats to our way of life, and build a more peaceful world for our children and grandchildren.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2006, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half staff this December 7 in honor of those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH