The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for his students to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. After three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
Celebrating American Flag Day in Romania:
On June 17, 2005, 300 Romanian students from five different high schools in Bucharest celebrated American Flag Day by preparing educational and creative poster boards explaining each of the 50 states of the United States. They displayed these poster boards and participated in a contest at the US Ambassador’s residence in Bucharest.
This year, on June 15, 2006, Flag Day was celebrated in Bucharest by inviting 300 students and teachers from five Bucharest high schools to the residence of U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Taubman for an evening of learning and fun. Two weeks before the event, the students began preparing posters on each of the 50 states. At the event, students presented their panels to a 5-person American jury chaired by our Senior English Language Fellow. They also voted on a “people’s choice” award for the best panel. In addition to designing the panels, the students dressed up in costumes – such as a band of bees representing Nebraska -- and served regional American desserts – such as South Carolina jam cake -- in an effort to impress the judges. The judges awarded a number of prizes in categories such as best designed panel, most informative, tastiest presentation, etc. Below is a list of participating schools and students, with pictures of each state panel.
This site is produced and maintained by the Public Diplomacy Office of the United States Embassy in Romania.
Links to other internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.
D
Public Diplomacy
Spiru Haret High School
Spiru Haret High School
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
