Flag Day    

Flag Day is observed on June 14 each year in memory of that day in 1777 when the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flay of the United States. As we honor our flag today, we think of our forefathers who struggled together to bring forth this nation and to guide that first weakling confederation of states through 200 years of trials and vicissitudes to a position of world prestige.

Flags have been used for over a thousand years to identify groups of people banded together under a common cause. In the 11^th and 12^th centuries Crusaders, inspired with religious fervor to defend Christianity, marched into the Holy Land carrying banners representing many countries and languages. The many differing factions were a constant source of friction among the Crusaders. It became evident that harmony could be achieved only under common banner and in due course the black and white Beauceant became the one flag common to all years the Knights of St. John of Rhodes, Crete and Malta. For 400 years the Knights of St. John of Rhodes and Malta served as Hospitalers, land forces and sea-going forces, fighting in defense of Christianity under the Beauceant.

Source: Masonic Americana