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Flag
Etiquette,
Laws and Regulations
Proper treatment and handling of
America's flag
How to Fold the U.S. Flag (to learn how
to fold the State of Ohio flag, click
here)
Fold the flag in half width-wise twice. Fold up a
triangle, starting at the striped end ... and repeat ... until only the end
of the union is exposed. Then fold down the square into a triangle and tuck
inside the folds.
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1. When the flag is
displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended
vertically with the union to the north in an east and west
street or to the east in a north and south street. |
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2. The flag of the
United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag
against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the
flag's own right [that means the viewer's left --Webmaster],
and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. |
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3. The flag, when
flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an
instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag
should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the
day. By "half-staff" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the
distance between the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe
streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a
parade only by order of the President of the United States. |
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4. When flags of
States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are
flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States,
the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are
flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should
be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may
be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of
the flag of the United States. |
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5. When the flag is
suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to
a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted
out, union first, from the building. |
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6. When the flag of
the United States is displayed from a staff projecting
horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or
front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at
the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. |
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7. When the flag is
used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is
at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be
lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. |
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8. When the flag is
displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it
should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed
either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union
should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the
observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be
displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field
to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons,
rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red
should be used, but never the flag. |
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9. That the flag,
when carried in a procession with another flag, or flags, should
be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right,
or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of
that line. |
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10. The flag of the
United States of America should be at the center and at the
highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or
localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed
from staffs. |
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11. When flags of
two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from
separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of
approximately equal size. International usage forbids the
display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation
in time of peace. |
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12. When displayed
from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the
United States of America should hold the position of superior
prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of
honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the
audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the
left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the
audience. |
By Executive Order, the flag flies 24 hours a
day at the following locations:
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The Betsy Ross
House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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The White House,
Washington, D.C. |
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U.S. Capitol,
Washington, D.C. |
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Washington
Monument, Washington, D.C. |
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Iwo Jima Memorial
to U.S. Marines, Arlington, Virginia |
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Battleground in
Lexington, MA (site of first shots in the Revolutionary War)
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Winter encampment
cabins, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania |
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Fort McHenry,
Baltimore, Maryland (a flag flying over Fort McHenry after a battle
during the War of 1812 provided the inspiration for The
Star-Spangled Banner |
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The Star-Spangled
Banner Flag House, Baltimore, Maryland (site where the famed flag
over Fort McHenry was sewn) |
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Jenny Wade House
in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Jenny Wade was the only civilian killed
at the battle of Gettysburg) |
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U.S.S. Arizona
Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii |
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All custom points
and points of entry into the United States |
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The following codification of existing rules and
customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States
of America be, and it is hereby, established for the use of such civilians
or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with
regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the
Government of the United States. The flag of the United States for the
purpose of this chapter shall be defined according to title 4, United States
Code, Chapter 1, Section 1 and Section 2 and Executive Order 10834 issued
pursuant thereto.
Sec. 2.
- It is the universal custom to display the flag
only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in
the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be
displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the
hours of darkness.
- The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously.
- The flag should not be displayed on days when
the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
- The flag should be displayed on all days,
especially on:
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New Year's
Day, January 1 |
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Inauguration
Day, January 20 |
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Martin Luther
KIng Day, third Monday in January |
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Lincoln's
Birthday, February 12 |
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Washington's
Birthday, third Monday in February |
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Patriot's
Day, April 17 |
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Easter Sunday
(variable) |
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Mother's Day,
second Sunday in May |
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Armed Forces
Day, third Saturday in May |
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Memorial Day
(half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May |
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Flag Day,
June 14 |
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Independence
Day, July 4 |
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Labor Day,
first Monday in September |
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Unification
Day, September 11 (in rememberance of those that died on
9/11) |
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Constitution
Day, September 17 |
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Columbus Day,
second Monday in October |
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Navy Day,
October 27 |
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Veterans Day,
November 11 |
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Thanksgiving
Day, fourth Thursday in November |
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Christmas
Day, December 25 |
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and such
other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United
States |
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the birthdays
of States (date of admission -- Ohio's is March 1st) and on State
holidays. |
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- The flag should be displayed daily on or near
the main administration building of every public institution.
- The flag should be displayed in or near every
polling place on election days.
- The flag should be displayed during school days
in or near every schoolhouse.
Sec. 3.
That the flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags,
should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or,
if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
- The flag should not be displayed on a float in
a parade except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i).
- The flag should not be draped over the hood,
top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When
the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to
the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
- No other flag or pennant should be placed above
or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States
of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains
at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during
church services for the personnel of the Navy.
- The flag of the United States of America, when
it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs,
should be on the right, the flag's own right, and its staff should be in
front of the staff of the other flag.
- The flag of the United States of America should
be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of
flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and
displayed from staffs.
- When flags of States, cities, or localities, or
pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the
United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags
are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be
hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed
above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag's
right.
- When flags of two or more nations are
displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height.
The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage
forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another
nation in time of peace.
- When the flag of the United States is displayed
from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window
sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be
placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. When
the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house
to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out,
union first, from the building.
- When displayed either horizontally or
vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the
flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a
window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or
blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
- When the flag is displayed over the middle of
the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the
north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south
street.
- When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if
displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When
displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the
United States of America should hold the position of superior
prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at
the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other
flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or
speaker or to the right of the audience.
- The flag should form a distinctive feature of
the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never be
used as the covering for the statue or monument.
- The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be
first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the
half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before
it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed
at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By
order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the
death of principal figures of the United States Government and the
Governor of a State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to
their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign
dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to
Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized
customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the
death of a present or former official of the government of any State,
territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that
State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag
shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff
thirty days from the death of the President or a former President; ten
days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a
retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House
of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or
military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a
State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the
following day for a Member of Congress. As used in this subsection (1)
the term "half-staff" means the position of the flag when it is one half
the distance between the top and bottom of the staff; (2) the term
"executive or military department" means any agency listed under
sections 101 and 102 of title 5, United States Code; and (3) the term
"Member of Congress" means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or
the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
- When the flag is used to cover a casket, it
should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left
shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to
touch the ground.
- When the flag is suspended across a corridor or
lobby in a building with only one main entrance, it should be suspended
vertically with the union of the flag to the observer's left upon
entering. If the building has more than one main entrance, the flag
should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby
with the union to the north, when entrances are to the east and west or
to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If there are
entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the east.
Sec. 4.
That no disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of
America -- the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental
colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be
dipped as a mark of honor.
- The flag should never be displayed with the
union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme
danger to life or property.
- The flag should never touch anything beneath
it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
- The flag should never be carried flat or
horizontally, but always aloft and free.
- The flag should never be used as wearing
apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back,
nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue,
white and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the
middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk,
draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
- The flag should never be fastened, displayed,
used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn,
soiled, or damaged in any way.
- The flag should never be used as a covering for
a ceiling.
- The flag should never have placed upon it, nor
on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word,
figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
- The flag should never be used as a receptacle
for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
- The flag should never be used for advertising
purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such
articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise
impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for
temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a
staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
- No part of the flag should ever be used as a
costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the
uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of
patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is
itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a
replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
- The flag, when it is in such condition that it
is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a
dignified way, preferably by burning.
Sec. 5.
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is
passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in
uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over
the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When
not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and
hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should
stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be
rendered at the moment the flag passes.
Sec. 6.
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all
present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag
with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their
headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand
being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute
at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last
note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the
music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed
there.
Sec. 7.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, "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," should be
rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over
the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their
right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the
military salute.
Sec. 8.
Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United
States of America, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed,
or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander
in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to
be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or additional rule
shall be set forth in a proclamation.
No person shall display the flag of the United
Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a
position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the
United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or
possession thereof; Provided, That nothing in this section shall make
unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying
the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or
honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor,
with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United
Nations.
All content above Copyright ©1996-2001 by the
Independence Hall Association,
a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1942.
Additional Information from the American Legion
Demand for American flags is high and
people have a renewed interest in displaying them at home. The United States
Flag Code contains specific instructions on how the flag should and should
not be used. Here are some examples:
Unless illuminated at night, flags displayed outdoors should
 only
be flown from sunrise to sunset.
The flag should not be flown on days when
the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is used.
The flag should not be draped over the
hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When
the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff should be fixed firmly to the
chassis or clamped to the right fender.
When displayed either horizontally or
vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's
own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the
flag should be displayed in the same way.
When used on a speaker's platform, the
flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker.
The flag, when flown at half-staff, should
be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the
half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it
is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at
half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.
The flag should never be displayed upside
down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to
life or property.
The flag should never touch anything
beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.
The flag should never be used as wearing
apparel, bedding or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor
up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.
The flag should never be used as a covering
for a ceiling.
The flag should never be used as a
receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.
The flag should never be used for
advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.
The flag, when it is in such
condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be
destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. Contact your local
American Legion or VFW post for information on flag-burning ceremonies,
which are often held on June 14, which is Flag Day.
SOURCE: The American Legion
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