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PUBLIC DIPLOMACYCultural SectionWhat is Flag Day? 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: This year, on June 14, 2007, a drenching thunderstorm could not dampen the spirits of 400 Bucharest high school students who came to the grounds of the residence of US Ambassador Nicholas Taubman to celebrate Flag Day. During this third annual Flag Day event, the US Embassy invited students from 5 of the Bucharest's high schools to compete to design the best poster about an American state, with the focus this year being on famous people. The students used all of their creative talents to outdo each other in the quest for prizes (American books and DVDs), dressing up in costumes – special guests included Louis Armstrong, Dorothy Lamour and Britney Spears -- and employing props (including a bowl of fish!). The American judges visited the tents where the students presented their posters and took questions. After consuming 120 pizzas, the students rushed out from under the tents to cheer for their states when the judges signaled they were ready. As each winner was announced (categories included "Best Design", "Most Informative", "Most Persuasive", "Most Entertaining", "Most Fun", "Most Creative" and "Best Panel Overall") the teams waved American flags, chanted the names of their schools and of their states. Every participant was rewarded with a packet of American books and pamphlets to take home. Many signed up for receipt of outreach from the American Cultural Center's Information Resource Center and/or obtained information on studying in the U.S. from the Fulbright Student Advising Center, which set up a stand on site manned by Romanian students who have won scholarships to U.S. universities. Most importantly, they took home great memories of a fun evening at the Ambassador's Residence along with a sense of pride in "their" American states.
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