MADISON, Wis. — Every year, National Flag Day is recognized on June 14. However, did you know the tradition began in the small Wisconsin town of Waubeka?
Its origins date back to 1885 when a school teacher named Bernard J. Cigrand had his class honor a "flag birthday" on June 14 to mark the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777.
Nearly three decades later, President Woodrow Wilson declared June 14 as National Flag Day in 1916.
Meanwhile, at our state Capitol, you will find four flag poles at the top of each wing. However, you won't see a flag fly on every one of them every day.
The west wing of the Capitol houses the Assembly chamber, so that body decides which flag flies and when.
The same goes for the Wisconsin Senate in the south wing.
For both chambers, the policy is to fly the American flag, but only when lawmakers are in session.
If you see an empty flag pole on the west or south sides of the Capitol, that means lawmakers aren't on the floor debating and voting on legislation.
As for the flags you can see every day, the governor has authority over the north flag pole, which flies the POW-MIA flag daily, as well as the east wing flag pole, where the American flag flies alongside the Wisconsin flag daily.
Right now, for the month of June, the Progress Pride Flag is also flown on the east wing pole and does not disrupt the other flags.