On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag. As a result, both President Wilson, in 1916, and President Coolidge, in 1927, issued proclamations asking for June 14 to be observed as the National Flag Day. However, many localities had already been celebrating the day for years. Despite this, Congress did not approve the national observance of June 14 as Flag Day until August 3, 1949. Congressional legislation designating June 14 as Flag Day was signed into law by President Harry Truman, and the legislation called upon the president to issue a Flag Day proclamation every year. Everything about the flag of the United States of America has meaning. While most people are aware that the stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union, few people know of the symbolic meaning of the colors. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.