For the past 241 years, the modern American flag with 50 stars and 13 red and white stripes has represented everything we’ve known and come to love about the United States.

In fact, Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes flag in the First Flag Resolution of 1777.

It wasn’t until 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation to establish a national Flag Day on June 14, that the entire nation came together to honor Old Glory.

Many localities and several states had celebrated the day for years, but in 1949 Congressional legislation designating June 14th as national Flag Day was signed into law by President Harry Truman to make the day official.

Since that day, Americans have commemorated Flag Day in many ways, displaying the Stars and Stripes in front of their homes or businesses, or flying the flag during parades or other patriotic observances.

We at CalVet proudly display the flag near the entrance to each of our eight California Veterans Homes and three veteran cemeteries, as well as atop our headquarters building in Sacramento.

Take a look below to see our tribute to Old Glory.