Flag Day 2023: Celebrations And Protests Across America

Saturday, June 14th is going to be a busy day in St. Cloud and across America. From parades and flags, birthdays and masses to protests across the country.

It's going to be an eventful day.

June 14th is Flag Day, the day America honors the Star Spangled Banner.

The holiday marks the date in 1777 -- 248 years ago -- when the Continental Congress approved designs for the first national flag.

Over the years, Presidents Wilson and Coolidge issued proclamations asking for June 14th to be celebrated as "Flag Day." But it wasn't until 1949 that Congress passed legislation that President Truman signed into law, recognizing June 14th as a national observance.

Everyone loves a parade, right?

But this June 14th also marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army.

And it's also President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

And to celebrate, tanks and aircraft will travel through Washington DC as part of what has become a controversial military parade.

The parade -- with an estimated pricetag of $45-million -- could damage streets in the District of Columbia. NBC News reports US military officials believe the damage costs could be as much as $16-million.

The new Pope's getting in the act, too.

Pope Leo XIV, a South Side Chicago native, may upstage the Trump parade by virtually hosting a big outdoor mass on the afternoon of June 14th at the Chicago White Sox ball stadium, Rate Park.

Plans are for Pope Leo to appear live via satellite from the Vatican.

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AND June 14th is also going to be a national day of defiance called "NO KINGS."

Protests have been planned all across the country -- including here in St. Cloud and throughout Minnesota.

UPDATED: There'll now be two mid-day protests in St. Cloud on June 14th.

First, protesters will gather at the Stearns County Courthouse Square from 11 am to 1 pm.

That Downtown Performance Rally will take place on the Stearns County Courthouse South Steps. It's sponsored locally by St. Cloud Women's March and Central Minnesota Women Rising.

The performance rally promises to blend "art and activism in an energizing rally that uplifts our shared values for:"

Voting Rights
Bodily Autonomy
Climate Action
Education for All
2SLGBTQIA+ Liberation

You can sign-up on the Facebook event page.

Following that, the No Kings Rally is scheduled from 1-3 pm.

Sponsored by CentralMNAction.org, ralliers will gather at the St. Cloud Public Library.

The group's mission is to say "no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

According to the group's website, "A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values."