The Battle of Baltimore inspired the lyrics of lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key in 1814. “O, say, can you see by the dawn’s early light what so proudly we hailed through the twilight’s last gleaming…” The waving American flag before, during, and after the fight was seen as a source of inspiration and resilience.

The red, white, and blue stars and stripes, also named “Old Glory,” have long symbolized patriotism, unity, and the spirit of pride in our nation.

Every Tuesday, Wreaths Across America encourages people all over the nation to take a moment to reflect on the common ground that unites us and say the Pledge of Allegiance. The Tuesday flag-waving tradition, now faithfully carried out on Route 1 in Jonesboro, Maine, was started by the Freeport Flag Ladies in 2001 following the terrorist attacks of 9-11-2001. A monument to the flag ladies stands on the site, and individuals and groups are welcome to gather every Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM (Eastern) in person to raise and lower the flag during the pledge ceremony. 

Anyone can raise the flag on Tuesday mornings and recite the pledge with us, and Wreaths Across America encourages you to document your participation and share it with the nation. #FlagsAcrosstheCountry share it here.

As part of our TEACH program, we encourage you to check out our Flag Day standards-based curriculum like our K-8 Flag Day Lesson Plan here. Thanks to our sponsors, the curriculum downloads are free and available here.