News Release

Philadelphia's Historic District celebrates birthday's of the U.S. Flag and U.S. Army and Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on June 14, 2022

Date: June 10, 2022
Contact: Andrew McDougall, 215-435-4372
Contact: Michaela Lovell, 202-330-3098

PHILADELPHIA - From star-spangled banners to five-star generals, Philadelphia’s historic district celebrates the shared birthday of two of our country’s greatest institutions—the American flag and the U.S. Army on June 14, 2022. Events across Old City Philadelphia include a moving naturalization ceremony, flag raising ceremonies, a patriotic parade, a swearing-in of Army recruits, a dramatic skydiving performance, and displays and demonstrations by the U.S. Army and a special tree planting for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Most events will be outdoors and free to the public; no reservations are required. 

• Philadelphia Flag Day Association Naturalization Ceremony 
  Betsy Ross House, 9 a.m.
  The Philadelphia Flag Day Association will welcome 13 new citizens who will take the Oath of Allegiance in a ceremony at the Betsy Ross House.
   
• 50-star Flag Raising and Grand Parade 
  National Constitution Center Front Lawn, 10 a.m. 
  Following a moving 50-star flag raising ceremony, troops—past, present, and future—will join a patriotic parade to Independence Hall. 
   
• Stripes and Stars Festival Opening Ceremony 
  Independence Hall, 10:30 a.m. 
  LTG Donna W. Martin, the U.S. Army Inspector General, will deliver a keynote address and administer the enlistment oath to assembled Army recruits. The youngest and oldest soldiers present will cut the Army birthday cake. 
   
• Patriotic Skydive 
  Independence Mall, 11:15 a.m. 
  Visitors on Independence Mall will have the opportunity to witness a spectacular skydive demonstration by the Team Fastrax Professional Skydiving Team.
   
• Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tree Planting Ceremony 
  Washington Square Park, 1 p.m. 
  In partnership with the British Consulate General in Philadelphia, a tree will be planted in Independence National Historical Park as a part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, a unique initiative to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee by inviting people in the U.K. and around the world to plant trees.
   
• Performance by the U.S. Old Guard Fife and Drum 
  Independence Mall near Liberty Bell Center, 2:30 p.m. 
  The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is the only unit of its kind in the armed forces, and is part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). The 69-member Corps uses 10-hole fifes, handmade drums, and single-valve bugles, that bring to life the exciting sounds of the Continental Army. In addition to the 2:30 p.m. performance, the Corps will support festival events throughout the day. 
  
    

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.