Hartford, Conn., June 14, 1861

Library of Congress“Hail! Glorious Banner of Our Land. Spirit of the Union” (1861)

It was destined, eventually, to become the runty stepchild among American national holidays. One hundred and fifty years after its original creation, no one ever hosts a Flag Day cookout or sends a Flag Day greeting card. Nobody gets to take a long weekend away from the office. Even the most customer-hungry car dealers don’t advertise Flag Day sales.