The Fourth of July is just a few weeks away. But did you know National Flag Day is this Friday, June 14? Independence Day may mean celebrating our freedom as a nation but National Flag Day is very significant in its own special way. Basically, it was the birth of the stars and stripes of the American flag. On June 14, 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand, a 19-year-old teacher at Stony Hill School, placed a 10 inch, 38 star flag in a bottle on his desk then assigned essays on the flag and its significance. This observance commemorated Congress' adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777.

So if you have an American flag fly it with honor Friday and be proud that you are an American.

Here's a YouTube video of a new rendition of the Star Spangled Banner from the group Madison Rising.

Take the NEW Challenge: Help Madison Rising reach 5 million views by July 4, 2013 and let's celebrate what being an American is all about!

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