How to Display an American Flag on a House

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Things You'll Need

  • Flag on a pole

  • Bracket to fit flag pole

  • Screws

The latest version of the American Flag was adopted on July 4, 1960.

You can express your patriotism by flying the Stars and Stripes from your house, but before you hang your flag, you should ensure that you comply with the United States Flag Code, which was enacted by Congress in 1942. Although there are no penalties for violating the code on the federal level, some states do enforce these laws. The U.S. flag, also called Old Glory or the Star Spangled Banner, was adopted on June 14, 1777.

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Step 1

Check your flag for tears, stains or other blemishes. Only display a flag in good condition.

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Step 2

Select a location for your flag that is high off the ground and does not touch anything. The flag must never get wet or dirty.

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Step 3

Screw your bracket into a window sill, front wall or balcony. Fasten it very securely to ensure that the flag never falls and becomes soiled.

Step 4

Insert your flag pole into the bracket so that the flag sits at an angle out from your house. Make sure the union (the blue part with the stars) is at the top of the flag pole. Only hang the flag upside down in an emergency. If there are other flags on the same pole, ensure that the American flag is at the top and that it is the largest. If you display other flags with an American flag, put the American flag on the right side of a single flag or in the center and slightly raise in a group of two or more.

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Step 5

Hang a flag without a pole against a wall or in a window with the union at the top left when seen from the street.

Step 6

Put your flag out at sunrise and bring it in at sunset. Never leave it out at night, unless the area around it is very well lit.

Tip

Bring your flag in for bad weather.

Warning

The flag should never be worn as a piece of clothing, marked upon, or used to carry anything.

Never cover the ceiling with a flag.

Never carry the flag flat or horizontally, but aloft and free-falling.

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