Flag Etiquette for the United States of America

There are rules about handling the U.S. flag.

The American flag was first created in 1776. The "Stars and Stripes" has gone through many transitions since its creation, but its current version was introduced on August 21, 1959 when Hawaii was the 50th state to join the union. While the U.S. Flag Code contains clear guidelines regarding etiquette, the Supreme Court has ruled that violations of the code are covered under the First Amendment.

Time and Occasions of Flag Display

According to Executive Order 10834 of the United States Flag Code, it is customary to only display the flag from sunrise to sunset. A flag may be flown 24 hours a day, but it is then proper to illuminate the flag in some manner at night. Among the thousands of places where the flag is flown 24 hours a day are the South Pole and the moon. The flag should also be displayed in or near all schoolhouses and election polling places and flown on all national holidays.

Position and Manner of Display

When carried with other flags, such as in a parade or ceremony, the U.S. flag should be to the right of all other flags. When hung for display, no other flags should be hung higher. The U.S. flag should be at the center and at the highest point when a number of state flags are displayed. On a speaker's platform, it should be hung above and behind the speaker. When used to cover a coffin, the flag should be removed before burial and not lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.

Hoisting and Lowering

As the U.S. flag is hoisted or lowered, anyone present in military uniform must salute. Civilians should remove any headdress and stand facing the flag with their hand over their heart. If the flag is to be flown at half-staff to honor a deceased individual, it is to be quickly hoisted to its peak and then lowered to half-staff.

Folding the Flag

Starting from the bottom and folding upward, fold the flag in half width-wise twice. Fold up a triangle, starting at the striped end, and continue folding in triangles until reaching the other end, where a square of the blue and white stars remains. Fold the square down into a triangle and tuck the ends inside the folds.

Flag Disposal

When a flag has reached a state where it is no longer a fitting emblem, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning. While most early American flags were made of cotton or wool, today's flags are often nylon or some other petroleum-based material, and may release hazardous gases when burned. Local VFW halls or Elks clubs will often accept retired flags and include them in a flag-burning ceremony on Flag Day, symbolically burning one and burying the others, which is both safe and respectful.

Respect for the Flag

The U.S. flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, floor or water. It should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. The flag should never be marked with writing, a picture or drawing of any kind. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes, nor should any part be used as a costume or athletic uniform. Lapel flag pins, which are replicas, are acceptable. The U.S. flag represents a living country and is considered a living thing. Lapel pins should therefore be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

References

• U.S. History: Flag Rules and Regulations

Resources

• U.S. History: Animation of Flag-Folding Instructions