Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

MAYOR GIULIANI PRESIDES OVER OPENING CEREMONIES
FOR THE ANNUAL NEW YORK CITY FLAG DAY PARADE

Mayor Giuliani said, "Whether you call it the Stars and Stripes, or the Star-Spangled Banner, the American flag is an enduring symbol of our nation, born out of America's struggles and triumphs. Today, the City hosts the oldest Flag Day Parade in our nation-not only to celebrate the 224th anniversary of our flag, but to remind ourselves and our children where Old Glory came from."

Parade Chairman Peter Nemiroff said, "On behalf of all the citizens and especially the children of New York City, I would like to thank Mayor Giuliani for the special interest he has shown each year in making New York City's Flag Day celebration an important, patriotic event for all New Yorkers. Thanks to the Mayor, the tradition of celebrating Flag Day is now a prominent City event."

Over 1,000 marchers took part in the parade, the oldest of its kind in the United States. Marchers included hundreds of New York City public school students, workers from various City agencies, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The parade stepped off at City Hall immediately following the opening ceremony, proceeding through Lower Manhattan to Fraunces Tavern, the site where George Washington last addressed his officers on December 4, 1783.