Patriotic Books for Flag Day

Today, June 14, is Flag Day. This holiday commemorates the day that the U.S. flag was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. It was established as a holiday in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, although it is not an official federal holiday. In honor of Flag Day, here are a few books from our Pioneer Library System with flags as their theme. They may be available through interlibrary loans or as part of our own Macedon Library collection. Either way, it’s easy to borrow them whenever you wish.

Flags of Our Fathers

Here is the true story behind the immortal photograph that has come to symbolize the courage and indomitable will of America. In February 1945, American Marines plunged into the surf at Iwo Jima—and into history. Through a hail of machine-gun and mortar fire that left the beaches strewn with comrades, they battled to the island’s highest peak. And after climbing through a landscape of hell itself, they raised a flag. To his family, John Bradley never spoke of the photograph or the war. But after his death at age seventy, his family discovered closed boxes of letters and photos. In Flags of Our Fathers, James Bradley draws on those documents to retrace the lives of his father and the men of Easy Company.

The World Encyclopedia of Flags: The Definitive Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns

Throughout the ages, flags have been a means of cultural and national identification and communication. This fully revised and updated book is the definitive visual reference to all the international flags. The first section, Flags Through the Ages, starts with the origin and development of flags, a fascinating overview of flags throughout history. The second section, the world of flags, is divided into subtopics including the flags of countries and their territories, flags of international organizations, regional and local flags, and flags of people and causes. Each flag is illustrated with information on its date of adoption, proportions and symbolic meaning. This is both a stunning reference book and an invaluable educational resource, offering insights into one of our most ancient forms of identification and communication.

The Flag We Love (children’s book)

This spirited tribute to Old Glory will inspire readers, young and old, to take a new look at the greatest emblem of the United States of America. With patriotic verse and historical facts, The Flag We Love explores how our flag has become an enduring part of our nation’s proud history and heritage. From its earliest designs to its role in peacetime and war, the Star-Spangled Banner will take on a whole new meaning for all readers. The bold, rich illustrations by Ralph Masiello highlight significant points in history, as well as commonplace moments of American life when our flag symbolizes the people and ideals of the United States of America.