A flag day is a
flag
A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design empl ...
-related holiday, a day designated for flying a certain flag (such as a
national flag
A national flag is a flag that represents and symbolizes a given nation. It is flown by the government of that nation, but usually can also be flown by its citizens. A national flag is typically designed with specific meanings for its colours ...
) or a day set aside to celebrate a historical event such as a nation's adoption of its flag.
Flag days are usually codified in national
statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs the legal entities of a city, state, or country by way of consent. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. Statutes are rules made by le ...
s passed by
legislative bodies
A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government.
Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known as ...
or
parliaments; however, in some countries a
decree or
proclamation by the head of state or chief executive can also order a flag day. The statute, or the proclamation or decree, may specify locations where flags are to be flown and how (for example, at full- or
half-staff); alternatively, custom may prevail. The flag day is naturally a
flag flying day.
Specific flag days
Nations that are not broadly recognized
sovereign states are shown in ''pink''. Defunct states are highlighted in ''light grey''.
See also
*
Flag flying day
*
National Day
*
Republic Day
*
Independence Day
An independence day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or more rarely after the end of a military occupation. Man ...
*
Public holiday
Notes
External links
* {{Commons-inline, Flag day
Types of national holidays
Flag flying days