How to Fly the US Flag
Some well-meaning people fly the United States flag unaware that they are flying it the wrong way. The United States government has a set of rules it expects people to follow whenever the flag is displayed. Some rules are well known, like the flag should always be the first one raised or lowered on a pole. Other rules are not as familiar. For example, if two flags are displayed together, the staff with the U.S. flag must cross in front of the staff with the other flag.
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Instructions
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The United States flag must be flown at the top of a flagpole except for periods of mourning. After a tragedy or death, the flag can be flown at half staff for 30 days. Even then it must be raised to the peak of the pole each day, then lowered to the half-staff position.
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When multiple state flags are flown, the U.S. flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group.
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If the flag is hung over a street without a flag pole, it must be hung vertically with the union to the north or east. A flag can hang vertically or horizontally inside, but the union should always be at the top and to the left of the viewer.
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When the U.S. flag is present with the flag of another nation, the two flags must be flown from separate staffs. They should be flown at the same height, and should be approximately the same size. The U.S. flag must also be to the left of the viewer.
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The flag should be flown from sunrise to sunset. The flag should be raised quickly in the morning, then lowered slowly at sunset. The flag should only be flown at night if there is adequate lighting. The flag should be taken down in rain or other inclement weather.
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References
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