Old Glory celebrating another year today

While the Stars and Stripes are waved with ceremonious fervor on several occasions throughout the year (like Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day), none are celebrations of the flag itself - none except today, that is.

Today the American Flag is 198 years old and the Nevada National Guard is throwing a birthday party of sorts in Carson City.

Nevada's annual Flag Day ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the Veterans Wall on the Capitol Grounds, which are to be decorated with a display of American flags.

U.S. Air Force veteran and Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira is scheduled to speak, along with Army Guard Col. Felix Castagnola, who will be talking in honor of the U.S. Army's 230th anniversary.

According to usflag.org, a Web site dedicated to the U.S. flag, Old Glory's first birthday celebration was organized by Wisconsin school teacher B.J. Cigrand in 1885, the 108th anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1977. Cigrand promoted an annual birthday celebration for the flag in the following years and several organizations and government entities took to the practice.

Although Flag Day was officially established as far back as 1916 with a proclamation from President Woodrow Wilson, it wasn't officially decreed as a recurring event until August 3, 1949, when President Harry Truman signed an act of Congress designating June 14 of each year National Flag Day.

The Nevada National Guard encourages everyone to attend this year's celebration of the red, white and blue.

If you go

What: Nevada National Guard Flag Day

ceremony

When: 10 a.m. today

Where: Veterans Wall on Capitol Grounds