Today is the U.S. Army's birthday (251), President Trump's birthday (80), and lest we forget, Flag Day.
In 1949, Congress designated June 14 as Flag Day. But Flag Day's history is more storied than a mere Act of Congress. It was a grassroots effort to instill respect and patriotism for the symbol of the United States.
During the early days of the Civil War, "Flag Day" was first proposed to rally support for the Union Army after the attack on Fort Sumter. A few years later, a teacher named Bernard J. Cigrand of Wisconsin held the first observance of "Flag Day" for students. Cigrand would advocate for a dedicated day devoted to the U.S. flag for the rest of his life and is remembered as the "Father of Flag Day." Later in the 19th century, other teachers took up Cigrand's torch to spread the message of Flag Day from Pennsylvania to New York.
Due to Cigrand's advocacy, President Woodrow Wilson, in 1916, declared June 14 as Flag Day. But it would take 30 more years before Flag Day would become nationally celebrated.
Flag Day recognizes "the day as the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes, as the official flag of the United States of America."
To learn more, including the proper respect and care of the U.S. flag, visit The American Legion.
Happy Flag Day!
Mark is still recuperating, but doing better every day. If you missed anything at SteynOnline this week, below is our weekly recap:
~ The week began with Mark's tribute to Doris Day and what became her signature song, "Whatever will be will be" (otherwise known as Que Sera Sera) in Steyn's Song of the Week.
~ Tal Bachman was back at SteynOnline Monday with his latest installment on Christopher Nolan's piece de resistance in An Odyssey to Ignore, Part III.
~ Tuesday, it was guest columnist Barbara Kay's turn with Of Pitbulls and Islamists (another great read from our dear friend).
~ This week's Clubland Q&A was back at its regularly scheduled day and time with Laura Rosen Cohen and Tal Bachman – the SteynOnline Double Trouble team – hosting a lively, far-ranging Live Around the Planet. Listen to the Action Replay here.
~ Laura was back on Thursday with her always fabulous round-up of Links from across the globe, including "Operation Meow Meow"!
~ The case of Sophie of Dundee, which captured the attention of both the right and left last summer, came to its (finally) logical conclusion Friday in this week's "Vindicated" Topical Take.
~ Mark Steyn On the Town Saturday (some Clubbers picked up on the special message in the post!) was a cornucopia of musical celebrations. Check out what you missed here.
~ Rick McGinnis closed out the week with a John Ford classic – The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence – with a review that only Rick could write.
Laura, Barbara, Tal, and Rick will be back again this week – you won't want to miss a day – so be sure to visit SteynOnline often!
Miss Mark? Haven't read America Alone (shame!)? Then listen to Mark's narration of the best-selling book here. For those of you who have not yet joined the Mark Steyn Club, or if your membership has lapsed, you can sign-up/re-up here.
All Aboard! Join the Mark Steyn 2026 Cruise Today (October 4-11, 2026) on the Queen Mary 2 (isn't she yar!):
Cabins are now on request only, please call our partners at the Cruise Authority to check for availability: 1-844-564-6317. Want to learn more, visit Steyn @ Sea!