The date commemorates the founding of Josiah Wedgwood and Sons which took place in 1759. This was chosen as part of a public vote, the other candidates remain other significant dates for flying the county flag:

July 5 – the anniversary of the discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard, which was uncovered in 2009;

September 6 – on that day in 1651 King Charles II hid in an oak tree in South Staffordshire;

September 18 – this was the birth date of Doctor Samuel Johnson who was born on this date in Lichfield in 1709;

September 27 – renowned engineer James Brindley, who lived in Leek, passed away on this date in 1772

The Bedfordshire County Day was chosen by popular vote.

The other nominations also offer particularly appropriate dates for flying the Bedfordshire flag.

They include:

19 January – Earldom (later Dukedom) of Bedford recreated, 1550
12 April – Bedfordshire County Council officially granted coat-of-arms, 1951
20 June – Siege of Bedford Castle begins, 1224
13 August – Blenheim Day: the Bedfordshire Regiment and its successors celebrate the anniversary of the battle, 1704
2 September – Birth of prison reformer John Howard, 1726
14 October – First flight of the airship R101 from Cardington, 1929
6 November – 1st and 2nd Battalions Bedfordshire Regiment meet at Bailleul en route to Ypres, 1914
15 November – First High Sheriff of Bedfordshire appointed, 1575
25 November – Feast of St Catherine, patron saint of spinners, weavers and lacemakers
15 December – Birth of Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams, 1899