Did You Know Father of Flag Day Lived in Batavia?

Batavia, of course, has a Flag Day Drive—and there's good reason for it.

Flag Day, the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777, was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. In 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.

And the guy who founded it?

Bernard J. Cigrand of Batavia, IL. 

According to the Batavia Public Library:

"Cigrand moved to Batavia in 1913 and built a house at 1184 S. Batavia Ave., which still stands. He practiced dentistry in the lower level of his home until 1920, when he moved his office to Aurora. Cigrand continued to live in Batavia until 1932, the year he died."

Mayor Jeffery Schielke notes on the city website, "Dr. Bernard Cigrand, the originator of the American Flag Day observance on June 14 of each year, also called Batavia his home as did the Reverend Faye Arnold Moon, grandfather of Colonel Edwin Aldrin, one of the first American astronauts to land on the Moon in 1969. In more recent time, Batavia has been the hometown for such recognized faces as professional basketball great Dan Issel, Super Bowl quarterback Ken Anderson, pro-golfer Sharon Moran and musical singing star Jackie de Shannon."

So, there you have it.

Meanwhile, Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford sent out this missive today, June 14, 2013:

“Today marks a significant moment for Americans as we commemorate both Flag Day and the 238th birthday of the United States Army,” said Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford. “It is my privilege to honor both of these special events as they symbolize our freedom, pride, principle and responsibility.”

So get your flag out there, and, as Rutherford says ...

“Let’s take a moment to reflect on the precious gifts that the American Flag symbolizes and salute our soldiers for their continued dedication to protecting our great nation.”