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

Flags of the Day

2006-12-07T05:03:00.000-06:00

Today is Pearl Harbor Day. It is also Ratification Day in Delaware; Armed Forces Day in India; and National Day in Ivory Coast.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-11-28T05:00:00.000-06:00

Today is Independece Day in Mauritania, Panama, and Timor Leste.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-11-26T07:43:00.000-06:00

Today is Republic Day in Chad; and Flag Day in Columbia.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day to All

2006-11-23T12:40:00.000-06:00

By the President of the United States of America
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

G. Washington

Flags for Thanksgiving Day

2006-11-23T12:34:00.000-06:00

A little vexillological humor

Today is Thanksgiving Day, and you must have been thinking about what flags you will fly. Since it is a national holiday, we must, of course, fly the flag of the United States:

But what else should we fly for the day?

Well, an obvious one is the flag of TURKEY:

All of that food will undoubtedly include a lot of GREECE:

And with all of that food available, you had better be HUNGARY:

Of course, we have to break out the China; but not any old China will do. We have to look to Taiwan, because for Thanksgiving Day we can only use the GOOD CHINA!

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING DAY!

Flag of the Day

2006-11-22T05:52:00.000-06:00

Today is Independence Day in Lebanon.

Animated flag provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flag of the Day

2006-11-21T06:09:00.000-06:00

Today is Ratification Day in North Carolina.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-11-20T06:06:00.000-06:00

Today is Revolution Day in the Mexican United States; and Her Majesty, the Queens', Wedding Anniversary.

Flags of the Day

2006-11-16T05:33:00.000-06:00

Today is Flag Day in Benin; Rebirth Day in Estonia; and Heritage Day in Oklahoma.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-11-11T05:12:00.000-06:00

Today is Veterans Day in the United States; and Armistance/Remembrance Day in Belgium, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth. It is also Independence Day for Angola, Poland, and Rhodesia; the Anniversary of the Independence of Cartagena in Columbia; Freedom Fighters' Day in Latvia; Republic Day in the Maldives; and Statehood Day in Washington.

Flags of the Day

2006-11-05T06:35:00.000-06:00

Today is my Birthday; Guy Fawkes Day in England; and the anniversary of the 1st Declaration of Independence in El Salvador.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-11-04T08:44:00.000-06:00

Today is National Unity Day in Italy; Flag Day in Panama; and Constitution Day in Tonga.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-11-03T06:08:00.000-06:00

Today is Independence Day in Dominica, Micronesia, and Panama; and Culture Day in Japan.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-11-01T07:28:00.000-06:00

Today is All Saits' Day.
It is also the Day of Revolution in Algeria; State Day in Antigua and Barbuda; and National Anthem Day in Panama.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-10-31T06:29:00.000-06:00

Today is Chiang Kai-Shek's Birthday in the Republic of China; Nevada Day; and Reformation Day in Slovenia.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flag of the Day

2006-10-29T05:36:00.000-06:00

Today is Republic Day in Turkey.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-10-28T09:08:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in the Czech Republic; and Flag Day in the Republic of China.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-10-27T17:29:00.000-05:00

Today is the Anniversary of Name Change in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Discovery Day in Cuba; Independence Day in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and in Turkmenistan; and Navy Day in the United States of America.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flag of the Day

2006-10-26T03:56:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Austria.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flag of the Day

2006-10-07T06:35:00.000-05:00

Today is Cassinga Day in Namibia.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-10-02T04:47:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Guinea; and Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday in India.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-21T05:08:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Armenia and Belize.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-16T06:24:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Mexico, and Papua New Guinea; and Respect for the Aged Day in Wales.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-15T06:29:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; and Respect for the Aged Day in Japan.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-14T05:04:00.000-05:00

Today is Battle o San Jacinto Day in Nicaragua.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-09T06:32:00.000-05:00

Today is Statehood Day in California; National Sports Day in Indonesia; and Independence Day in Tajikistan.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-07T05:28:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Proclamation Day in Brazil; and Flag Day in Kuwait.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-06T05:34:00.000-05:00

Today is Defence Day in Pakistan; National Heroes' Day in São Tomé and Príncipe; and Independence Day in Swaziland.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-05T20:39:00.000-05:00

Today is Flag Day in Mozambique; and National Holiday in Samoa.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-04T11:23:00.000-05:00

Today is Labour Day in the United States of America and in the Dominion of Canada; and St. Marinus Day in San Marino.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-03T08:55:00.000-05:00

Today is Merchant Navy Day in the United Kingdom; Flag Day in Australia; and Independence Day in Qatar.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-09-01T03:55:00.000-05:00

Today is the Revolution Anniversary in Libya; Constitution Day in Slovakia; and Independence Day in Uzbekistan.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-31T04:13:00.000-05:00

Today is Flag Day in India; and Independence Day in Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-30T05:05:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Azerbaijan; St. Rose of Lima Day in Peru; and Victory Day in Turkey.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-27T08:06:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in the Moldova.
It is also the 28th birthday of US Army Staff Sergeant Devereaux D. Cannon, III.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-25T05:12:00.000-05:00

Today is Constitution Day in Paraguay; and Independence Day in the Uruguay.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-24T05:51:00.000-05:00

Today is Flag Day in Liberia; and Independence Day in the Ukraine.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flag of the Day

2006-08-22T05:28:00.000-05:00

Today is the Day of the Russian Federation State Flag.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-17T04:10:00.000-05:00

Today is Jose de San Martin's Death Day in Argentina; and Independence Day in Gabon and Indonesia.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-16T04:29:00.000-05:00

Today is National Restoration Day in the Dominican Republic; and Statehood Day in Hawaii

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-15T05:43:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Independence Day in the Republic of the Congo and in Pakistan. Today is Independenence Day in India; Great Lady Day in Croatia; Flag Day for the Sami people; Liberation Day in the Republic of Korea; and Princess Anne's Birthday in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-13T09:24:00.000-05:00

Today is Independenence Day in the Central African Republic.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-11T06:18:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Chad; and Heroes Day in Zimbabwe.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-09T07:37:00.000-05:00

Today is Flag Day in Gabon; Independence Day in Singapore; and National Women's Day in South Africa..

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-08T04:01:00.000-05:00

Today is Queen Silvia's Name Day in Sweden.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-07T06:04:00.000-05:00

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Boyaca in Colombia; and Independenence Day in the Ivory Coast.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-06T06:08:00.000-05:00

Today is Independenence Day in Bolivia.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-05T07:27:00.000-05:00

Today is British Columbia; New Brunswick Day; and Colorado Day. It is also Thansgiving Day in Croatia; Independenence Day in Jamaica; Flag Day in Japan; and Discovery Day in Trinidad and Tobago.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-04T03:17:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Burkina Faso.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-03T05:43:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Niger; and Election Day in Tennessee.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-02T06:02:00.000-05:00

Today is the Anniversary of the 1903 Uprising in Macedonia.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-08-01T06:38:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in the Benin; and National Day in Switzerland.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-31T06:10:00.000-05:00

Today is Revolution Day in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-29T08:04:00.000-05:00

Today is St. Olav's Day in Norway.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-28T06:27:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Peru.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-27T06:08:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Independence Day in Liberia and the Maldives; and Ratification Day in New York. Today is Independence Day in Belarus.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-25T05:40:00.000-05:00

Today is Flag Day in Argentina; Battle of Isted Day in Denmark; Constitution Day in Fiji; St. James Day in Spain; and Republic Day in Tunisia.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-22T07:01:00.000-05:00

Today is National Day in Belgium; Prince Felix' Birthday in Denmark; National Liberation Day in Poland; and King Sobhuza II's Birthday in Swaziland.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-21T05:28:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Belgium.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-20T05:31:00.000-05:00

Today is President's Day in Botswana; Independence Day in Colombia; and Crown Prince Haakon's Birthday in Norway.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-19T06:55:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Laos; Martys Day in Myanmar (Burma); and Liberation Day in Nicaragua.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-18T06:36:00.000-05:00

Today is Constitution Day in Uruguay.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

A New Godchild

2006-07-17T05:49:00.000-05:00

Nora and I have been asked to serve as Godparents for another child in our parish. Rebecca is four weeks old now and will be christened in August. Her patron will be Our Lady of Guadeloupe.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-17T05:30:00.000-05:00

Today is 17th of July Revolution in Iraq; King Letsie III's Birthday in Lesotho; Flag Day and Constitution Day in Norway; and Birthday of Duchess of Cornwall in The United Kingdom.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-14T06:19:00.000-05:00

Today is Bastille Day in France; 14th of July Revolution Day in Iraq; Day of Association in Senegal; and Crown Princess Victoria's Birthday in Sweden.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-13T05:50:00.000-05:00

Today is State Day in Montenegro; and Nathan Bedford Forrest Day in Tennessee.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-10T05:55:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in the Bahamas; and Statehood Day in Wyoming.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-09T06:46:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Argentina; and Constitution Day in Palau.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-07T04:40:00.000-05:00

Today is Proclamation of PUNT Day in Equatorial Guinea; Independence Day in the Solomon Islands; and Saba Saba Day in Tanzania.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-06T05:42:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in the Comoros, and in Malawi; and Statehood Day in Lithuania. It is also the anniversary of the death of Jan Hus in the Czech Republic; the anniversary of the Battle of Fredericia in Denmark; and the Dalai Lama's birthday in Tibet.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-05T06:28:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in Algeria, Cape Verde, and Venezuela. It is also Peace and National Unity Day in Rwanda.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-04T07:40:00.000-05:00

Today is Independence Day in the United States of America. It is also the Day of Commemoration of the genocide against the Jews in Latvia; Queen Sonja's Birthday in Norway; Fil-American Friendship Day in the Philippines; and King Tupou IV's Birthday in Tonga

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-03T08:57:00.000-05:00

Today is Idaho Day.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

Flags of the Day

2006-07-02T06:36:00.000-05:00

Today is Flag Day in Curaçao; and Election Day in Mexico.

Animated flags provided courtesy of Pascal Gross.

2 July 1776 -- Independence Day

2006-07-02T06:30:00.000-05:00

On this date in 1776, the great rebel, John Adams, wrote to his wife back home in Massachusetts that, finally, the Congress had adopted a resolution establishing the independency of the former colonies from Great Britain. He believed that henceforth the 2nd day of July would be celebrated annually as our holiday of liberation.

Two days later, the Congress approved the language of the Declaration of Independence, which was a statment to the world justifying the action taken by the Congress on July 2nd. The Declaration included the text of the 2nd of July resolution in its concluding paragraph.

Of course, the date of the Declaration, July 4th, rather than the July 2nd date of the Resolution, has come to be the date of the celebration of our Independence. The observation of the 4th of July began as early the first anniversary of independence in 1777. But we should remember that, without the July 2nd Resolution, there could not have been a July 4th Declaration.

IN CONGRESS, July 2, 1776.

The unanimous Resolution of the thirteen united
States of America