Today is Flag Day, a day when Americans honor and commemorate the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.

Everyone is urged to display the U.S. flag in front of their homes and businesses today.

Some businesses and organizations have planned special events on this day. They include:

– A Veterans Appreciation Flag Day event will be held today at Ryan Buick GMC, 1111 20th Ave. SW in Minot, to honor all those who served. A program is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. A freewill donation lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. All of the donation proceeds will go to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 4 of Minot for programs the organization supports to benefit veterans in the local community.

– The Joseph Young Hawk/Elmer Bear American Legion Post 253 and Auxiliary in White Shield are holding a Flag Day “Parade of Flags” today beginning at 11 a.m. People are invited to bring American flags of their loved ones to carry in the parade from the White Shield Senior Center to the powwow grounds. A program and meal will follow. The American Legion Auxiliary’s 100th anniversary is also being celebrated as part of the Flag Day event.

– The Minot Elks are celebrating Flag Day by giving away small flags to those who attend the Sabre Dogs baseball game at Corbett Field tonight. The gates will open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7:05 p.m., with the American Legion Post 26 Color Guard presenting the colors at the beginning of the game.

The Stars and Stripes originated as a result of a resolution adopted by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia on June 14, 1777. The resolution read: Resolved that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.”

Now the flag has 50 stars (since July 4, 1960) representing the 50 states of the United States. The 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies.

As you go about your day today, remember it is Flag Day, a day to honor and respect this nation’s greatest symbol.