The U.S. flag is popular the world over, especially when the president visits a foreign nation, as President Barack Obama visited Burma (Myanmar) in November 2012. Voice of America caption from November 16, 2012: “A shopkeeper waves an American flag at a roadside shop in Rangoon, Burma. U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Burma on Monday, becoming the first U.S. president to visit the country. (AP)”
Eight events spread over six different days come with urgings to fly the U.S. flag in November: Six states celebrate statehood, Veterans Day falls as always on November 11, and Thanksgiving Day on November 26.
Two states, North Dakota and South Dakota, celebrate their statehood on the same date. Washington’s statehood day falls on Veterans Day, November 11 — so there are only six days covering eight events.
In calendar order for 2015, these are the seven days:
- North Dakota statehood day, November 2 (1889, 39th or 40th state)
- South Dakota statehood day, November 2 (1889, 39th or 40th state) (shared with North Dakota)
- Montana statehood day, November 8 (1889, 41st state)
- Veterans Day, November 11
- Washington statehood day, November 11 (1889, 42nd state) (shared with Veterans Day)
- Oklahoma statehood day, November 16 (1907, 46th state)
- North Carolina statehood day, November 21 (1789, 12th state)
- Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November (November 26 in 2015)
Most Americans will concern themselves only with Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day. Is flying the U.S. flag for statehood day a dying tradition?
More:
- How to fly the U.S. flag (Mental Floss)
- “Guidelines to Display the U.S. Flag,” at the website of the American Legion, carrying a note they came from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Congress’s flag etiquette guide, “Our Flag”
- A few rules from the Boy Scouts of America guide on flag etiquette
- A list of dates to fly the U.S. flag, a basic reference service of Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub
Reposted with express permission from Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub.
Mr. Darrell's Wayback Machine 
To be honest, I have never heard of flying a US flag for the anniversary of statehood. Or for Thanksgiving.
By: sterling9821 on November 10, 2015
at 5:36 am
It’s in the Flag Code. Few people follow it; many have forgotten.
After my patriotism has been attacked a thousand times for supporting clean air and clean water, public schools, etc., I’ve studied events for flag flying. It’s no big deal, except I find many “flag-waving” patriots don’t know why they wave the flag, how to wave the flag, or when, by tradition or history.
Plus, each of the prescribed dates is an occasion to review history in the classroom. I try to keep track and keep up.
By: Ed Darrell on November 10, 2015
at 12:17 pm
I’d say no Patriotism is the same one person to the next and many back in the founding days would also likely say, that’s how it should work. But I understand the attacking thing. I have often been attacked patriotically for not simply agreeing with choices made and direction changes.
I do my own learning, and many who used to question my patriotism have figured out that I question actions for an educated reason. Still others think that questioning government is not American, unless you question [hate] what they hate, then it is fine. I am me. You are you. Patriotism comes in infinite sizes.
Id say, keep on keeping on :) Few who wave flags or use them to show their national pride actually 1, understand the flag and its history. and 2, the rules for displaying flags. Yet many of those same will criticize others.
Education is the key. Keep writing and talking. No one has to listen but if we all stop talking, no one can listen if they want to:)
By: sterling9821 on November 10, 2015
at 3:27 pm
Here’s a more comprehensive list of flag flying dates, with links to a couple of explanations of the Flag Code and the actual law: https://timpanogos.wordpress.com/flag-fly-dates/
Happy flag-flying!
By: Ed Darrell on November 10, 2015
at 12:21 pm