Flag Day and an African Nation

2016 students painting flags in my classroom.

 The birth of Old Glory is attributed to June 14, 1777 still during the early years of the Revolutionary War by the Continental Congress.  Less than a year after the Declaration of Independence the US need a symbol to separate itself from Great Britain and gain further recognition as a new country.  However, Flag Day was not made official until President Truman's proclamation in 1949.   The United States is not unique in the celebration of their nation's flag.  Over 50 other countries around the world commemorate a variety of historical events through their flags.  

Including Liberia, originally an American colony in Africa that declared independence from the US in 1847.   The first President of Liberia was Joseph Jenkins Roberts a free born African American from Virginia.  August 24th is celebrated as Flag Day and the influence of the United States is very evident in the red, white, and blue design.

Liberian Flag established by the United States

Source:  American Memory - Library of Congress
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun14.html