Are You Ready To Hoist Flags on National Flag Day?

Sunday, June 14, is Flag Day, created following the Second Continental Congress resolution made on June 14, 1777, to adopt of the flag of the United States. According to the National Constitution Center, the first national observance of Flag Day was on June 14, 1877, a century after the American flag was officially adopted. Then, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that June 14 be National Flag Day. It was made official by Congress in 1949.

Beyond the American flag, we know there is no shortage of flags that sailors like to hoist.

We see sailboats flying flags all the time, from the US flag to their yacht club’s burgee to event flags. This year’s Baja Ha-Ha fleet will fly the new Cruisin’ to the Cape flag (pictured below) created to represent this year’s Grateful Dead-themed rally.

The Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA) says, “The purpose of flags is to communicate.” This is of course very true in the case of the red and yellow semaphore flags, and even more relevant to us as sailors, the international maritime signal flags. Though these don’t actually pertain to Flag Day, we just were reminded of their existence as we’re writing about flags on boats. PICYA also says there are “many rules and regulations governing the use of flags, but the fundamental rule of flag etiquette is to treat all flags with respect and common sense.”

We hope you get a chance to fly Old Glory and any other flags you like on Sunday, preferably on your boat, and even more preferably, while you’re on the water. And if you want to understand more of the yachting formality of flags, don’t hesitate to consult the PICYA Flag Etiquette Guide here.