Every June 14, Americans pause to honor the Stars and Stripes on Flag Day. This fun holiday marks the day in 1777 when Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag. While it’s not a federal holiday, many folks celebrate with displays of red, white, and blue. We’ll dive into the story behind Flag Day, look at common traditions, and share three patriotic recipes to make your celebration extra tasty.

History of Flag Day

The story of Flag Day starts with the flag itself. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: “the flag of the thirteen United States [shall be] thirteen stripes (alternate red and white) on a blue field”. This was the birth of the Stars and Stripes. A popular legend says Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross sewed the first flag, but scholars credit the design to Francis Hopkinson. (Either way, June 14 became the date to remember.) Flag Day itself didn’t exist in 1777. It took nearly a century of patriotism to cement it. In 1861, Connecticut teacher George Morris organized one of the earliest flag celebrations in Hartford. In 1885, Wisconsin teacher Bernard Cigrand urged his students to observe June 14 as the flag’s “birthday”. A few years later, William T. Kerr of Pennsylvania founded the American Flag Day Association to promote the idea. By 1877, on the flag’s 100th anniversary, Congress officially directed that the flag be flown from all public buildings across the country. President Woodrow Wilson made it official in 1916, issuing a proclamation naming June 14 as Flag Day. After several more decades of state celebrations (Pennsylvania became the first state to mark it as a holiday in 1937), Congress permanently designated June 14 as National Flag Day in 1949. Even today, the President typically proclaims the week of June 14 as National Flag Week, encouraging Americans to fly the flag all week long. For the record, Flag Day is not a paid holiday – most people still go to work or school on June 14. But you’ll often see flags flying from homes, schools, and government buildings anyway. (Fun fact: June 14 is also the official birthday of the U.S. Army, so it’s double celebrations for some veterans groups.)

Flag Day Traditions in the US

Flag Day is a laid-back, patriotic celebration. There isn’t one required ritual, but there are some common ways Americans mark the occasion. Many people simply display the American flag outside their homes, offices, or schools. It’s common to fly the flag from dawn to dusk on June 14, following the same etiquette as on any patriotic holiday. You’ll often see neighborhoods decked out in red, white, and blue bunting or balloons. In some communities, local groups organize parades, ceremonies, or other events. These often feature marching bands, color guards, and speeches about the meaning of the flag. Veteran and service organizations (like the American Legion or VFW) sometimes hold flag-raising ceremonies. A tradition you might not know about is the flag retirement ceremony: communities gather to properly retire old, faded flags in a dignified way (usually by burning). These respectful ceremonies honor the flag’s service. Families often treat Flag Day like a mini summer holiday. It’s a perfect chance for a backyard barbecue or picnic. People enjoy grilling burgers and hot dogs, laying out picnic blankets, and serving cool salads. Patriotic desserts – think berry pies or a flag cake – are especially popular. In fact, many schools use Flag Day as a chance to teach kids about the flag: students might learn the Pledge of Allegiance, make star-spangled crafts, or have special assemblies. The day is all about enjoying time outdoors and appreciating history.

Patriotic Recipes for Flag Day

What’s a celebration without delicious food? Here are three classic American recipes to serve on Flag Day, each with a festive twist. These dishes are easy to make and perfect for a summer gathering with a red-white-and-blue theme.

Red, White & Blue Berry Cake

This simple berry cake brings the flag to dessert time. You can use a boxed vanilla cake mix or your favorite homemade vanilla cake batter. Bake it in a 9x13 pan, let it cool, then frost with whipped cream. Decorate the top with sliced strawberries (red) and blueberries (blue) arranged in stripes and a star field, mimicking the flag. Even kids can help with the decorating! 

Ingredients.

  • 1 (9x13) pan vanilla cake (from scratch or mix)
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream (or whipped topping)
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • Optional: ½ cup shredded coconut (for extra white “stars”) or white chocolate chips

Instructions.

  • Bake the vanilla cake according to recipe or package directions. Let it cool completely.
  • In a bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form (this is your frosting).
  • Spread the whipped cream evenly over the cooled cake.
  • Arrange the berries: place blueberries in the upper-left corner (forming the “blue field”), and make 6 alternating rows of strawberries and whipped cream stripes to the right (three red strawberry stripes and three white cream stripes).
  • If desired, sprinkle coconut or white chocolate chips over the blueberry section to look like stars. You can also use a small star-shaped cutter with extra whipped cream to form stars.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Chef’s Tip: For a lighter twist, fold in some plain Greek yogurt with the whipped cream to make it tangy, or use half whipped cream and half cream cheese for a richer frosting.

All-American BBQ Burgers

No backyard celebration is complete without grilled burgers. This easy recipe yields juicy patties with classic flavor. Feel free to use ground turkey or a plant-based substitute if you prefer. Top the burgers with fresh red tomatoes and crisp lettuce for extra color, and serve with mustard and ketchup to keep the red-white-blue theme. 

Ingredients.

  • 1½ pounds ground beef (80/20) or ground turkey/veggie burger substitute
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or onion powder)
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 4 slices cheese (cheddar or American), optional
  • Tomato slices, lettuce leaves, red onion slices, pickle slices
  • Condiments: ketchup (red), mayonnaise or ranch (white), mustard (yellow)

Instructions.

  • In a bowl, gently mix the ground meat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Divide into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about ½ inch thick (make them a tad wider than the buns).
  • Heat a grill or skillet to medium-high. Grill the patties 4–5 minutes on each side, or until they reach 160°F (165°F for turkey). If using cheese, top each patty with a slice during the last minute and cover to melt.
  • Meanwhile, lightly toast the buns on the grill or in the oven.
  • Assemble the burgers: on the bottom bun, place lettuce, then the burger patty (with melted cheese), then tomato, red onion, and pickle. Spread condiments on the top bun (a stripe of ketchup or ketchup-and-mayo mix adds more flag colors).
  • Serve hot with classic sides like potato salad or coleslaw.

Chef’s Tip: Swap in ground turkey or a plant-based patty for a leaner burger, and use whole-grain buns for extra nutrition. Serving them with sliced red peppers or a tangy relish keeps the presentation festive.

Creamy Picnic Potato Salad

Potato salad is a timeless picnic side and goes perfectly with grilled burgers. This version is creamy and tangy, made with a classic mayo–mustard dressing. We like to toss in celery and fresh herbs for crunch. It’s best made ahead and chilled, so the flavors develop while you fire up the grill. 

Ingredients.

  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold or red potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise (or half mayo, half plain Greek yogurt)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 2 green onions (or ¼ cup chopped red onion)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish or diced red bell pepper (for extra color)
  • Garnish: chopped fresh parsley or dill, and a dash of paprika (for color)

Instructions.

  • Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until potatoes are fork-tender (about 10–12 minutes). Drain and let cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
  • Add the warm potatoes to the bowl and gently toss to coat with the dressing. Stir in celery, green onions, and optional relish or bell pepper.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to chill and let the flavors meld.
  • Taste before serving and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with parsley or dill and a sprinkle of paprika for a pop of color.

Chef’s Tip: Mix in a little pickle relish or chopped red bell pepper for festive red speckles. For a lighter salad, swap half the mayo for Greek yogurt or use a vinegar-based dressing instead. 

With these recipes on your Flag Day menu, your celebration is sure to be a hit. You’ll have a nice balance of sweet, savory, and cool sides – all decked out in patriotic style. 

Whether you’re headed to a parade, hosting a barbecue, or simply enjoying a quiet day at home, Flag Day is a time to reflect on our nation’s history and enjoy it with friends and family. From the flag’s 1777 origins to today’s backyard festivities, we hope you feel inspired to celebrate June 14th. Enjoy the recipes, stay proud, and Happy Flag Day!