United States Flag and Old Glory Etiquette
Minor Publishing House
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Of course the flag may be flown every day but at a residence this may not be practical. The following is a list of suggested days.
* New Years Day January 1 * Inauguration Day January 20
* Washington's Birthday 3rd Mon Feb * Easter (variable)
* Mother's Day 2nd Sun in May * Armed Forces Day 3rd Sat May
* Memorial Day last Mon in May * Flag Day June 14
* Independence Day July 4 * Labor Day 1st Mon in Sept
* Columbus Day 2nd Mon in Oct * Navy Day October 27
* Veterans day Nov 11 * Thanksgiving Day 4th Thur Nov
Flag Display
It is customary to display the flag from sunrise to sunset. However the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if illuminated.
The flag should not be displayed on days of inclement weather.
The flag should be displayed daily at or near the entrance to every public building, in or near every public polling place on election days, and in or near every schoolhouse on the days school is held.
No other flag should be placed above or to the right of the flag of the United States of America. In addition no flag of another country shall be placed above or in a position of superior prominence to the flag of the United States.
When the flag of the United States is displayed against a wall with another flag their staffs shall be crossed and the flag of the United States shall be in front of the other flag.
When flags of cities, states, societies, churches, or any others are displayed on the same halyard as the United States flag they must be under the United States flag.
When flags of two or more nations are flown they must be displayed on separate staffs, be the same height, and of approximately the same size.
International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation under the flag of another nation in peacetime.
The flag should never be displayed with the union (stars) down.
Respect of the flag
The flag should never touch anything under it, including the ground.
The flag should never be used as a covering for a statue, monument, or anything else except a casket. It must be removed before burial.
The flag shall never be carried horizontally, rather it should be aloft and flying freely.
During raising or lowering of the flag or the rendering of any ceremony all persons except those in uniform shall face the flag, stand at attention, and place the right hand over their heart. Those present in uniform shall reply with the military salute. Any aliens present should stand at attention.
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or a drapery. However, a flag patch may be affixed to a uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman, or others who are members of a patriotic organization.
The flag shall never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.
Half Staff
When the flag is to be displaced at half staff it must first be hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the half staff position. Upon lowering it shall be momentarily raised to the peak and then lowered.
The flag may be flown at half staff by order of the president upon the death of principal figures of the United States, Governor of a State, or a territory or possession. A governor of a state may also declare that the flag should fly at half mast.
Origin of the Flag
The first official flag of the United States was adopted by an act of Congress on June 14, 1777. A group headed by George Washington commissioned seamstress Betsy Ross to execute their design for presentation to Congress. It consisted of 7 red stripes and six white stripes. The blue background had a circular pattern of 13 stars.
Just before the War of 1812 two new states were added to the Union. A flag consisting of 15 stars and 15 stripes was created. This is the flag that flew over Fort McHenry during a British Naval bombardment that inspired Francis Scott Key to compose what later became the National Anthem.
It soon became apparent that stripes could not be added as new states came into the Union. On April 14, 1818 Congress established the number of stripes at seven red, and 6 white, and provided for the addition of a star for each state. The 50 star flag has been in use since 1960.
Disposal of a Flag
When the flag becomes torn, frayed, or soiled, and is no longer fit for display it must be destroyed in a dignified way. The most preferable way is by burning.
The customs and rules was taken from excerpts of the July 7, 1976 amendment to the Flag Code Public Law 94-344 94th Congress.