Flag Days in Acton
- ahsvolunteer20
- Jun 25, 2016
- 2 min read
We came across the 1906-1907 School Committee report that contained instructions for Acton's schools about flag-raising. The report gives an interesting glimpse of the events in American history that were considered the most noteworthy at the time:
"The School Committee have appointed the following list of flag days. On the days designated the flags on all the schools in town are to fly, and the teachers are to give special instruction upon the event commemorated:
January 1. Emancipation Proclamation, 1863
February 12. Lincoln’s Birthday, 1809
February 22. Washington’s Birthday, 1732
March 17. Evacuation of Boston by the British, 1776
April 19. Battle of Lexington, 1775
May 1. Battle of Manila, 1898
May 23. Foundation of Jamestown, 1607
May 30. Memorial Day, 1866
June 14. United States Flag adopted, 1777
June 17. Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775
July 4. Declaration of Independence, 1776
September 3. Treaty of Paris, 1782 [sic]
September 17. U.S. Constitution adopted, 1787
October 19. Surrender of Cornwallis, 1781
December 16. Boston Tea Party, 1773
December 21. Landing of the Pilgrims, 1620
Also Labor Day, Inauguration of the President of the United States and the Governor of Massachusetts, and on opening and closing days of each term and other days as directed.”
Perhaps most surprising is the fact that despite the Acton minute men's significant role at the North Bridge in Concord and the loss of three Acton residents in that battle and its aftermath, the school committee report labeled April 19th the "Battle of Lexington." One would have thought that Acton's own history would have been highlighted, particularly because Massachusetts' governor, back in 1894, had made Patriots' Day an official holiday to commemorate all of the significant events of April 19, 1775. Perhaps the School Committee was confident that the teachers and the rest of the town were well aware of Acton's place in the events of that day.
