ETIQUETTE
of the
STARS and STRIPES
As Revised By Public Law 94-344 The United States
Flag Its
History-How to Display, and Respect It.
Foreword
Within this page are answers to most of the questions
pertaining to proper display and use of our National Flag.
The Flag is very much a part of our daily lives. We should
always respect it because it represents everything we are
as
Americans-everything we hope to be.
_____________________________
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
"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."
The pledge of allegiance to the flag 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 shoulder, the hand being
over the heart. Person in uniform should remain
silent, face the
flag, and render the military salute.
HISTORY OF THE FLAG
The Flag of the United States of America is one of the
oldest of the national standards of the world; older than the
Union
Jack of Great Britain or the Tricolor of France.
During the early days of the Revolutionary War a variety
of flags were used by the different colonies and military
commands.
Prominent among these were the "Pine Tree" and "Rattlesnake" flags
with various arrangements and mottoes.
Late in 1775 a committee of Congress with Benjamin Franklin
at the head, after consulting with Washington, then in
command of the
army at Cambridge, decided upon the form for a new flag. This flag
consisted of thirteen stripes, red
and white, with the crosses of
St. George and St. Andrew on a blue field in the canton or union.
This preceded the Declaration
of Independence and indicated that the
colonies had not wholly broken from the mother country. This flag was
first unfurled
by Washington, January 2, 1776. It was probably this
flag which was raised by Paul Jones on his vessel and carried by the
American
fleet which sailed out of Philadelphia in February,1776.
During 1776 and 1777 a number of flags with thirteen stripes
came into use and the need of a definite national emblem
was
realized. On June 14, 1777 Congress passed an act stating " That the
Flag of the thirteen United States be
thirteen stripes, Alternate red
and white, in a blue field, representing a new constellation." this
the birthday of
the Flag as we now knows it and June 14 is now
celebrated as "Flag Day." This new flag was probably first displayed
on
land during the Battle at Fort Stanwix, New York, although there
are a number of authorities who claim that first Stars
and Stripes
displayed in battle was at the Battle of Bennington, Vermont,
August 16th, 1777. At any rate, this flag,
as displayed, remained the
National standard until 1795. The first display of the Stars and
Stripes by the Continental
Army was when the Flag was hoisted over
Fort Stanwix, New York on August 3, 1777.
In the meantime Vermont and Kentucky had become states, and
on January 13, 1794, Congress voted that the Flag should
have fifteen
stripes and fifteen stars. This Flag remained in use for twenty-
three years, and it was "The Star-Spangled
Banner" of which Francis
Scott Key wrote in 1814.
In April, 1818, Congress passed an act providing that the
Flag should have thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate
red and white
and that the union should display twenty stars, representing the
number of states then in the Union. It
also provided that on the
admission of every new state to the Union a star should be added on
the following July 4th
and this has been the regulation ever since,
accounting for the number of stars now shown.
STARS AND STATES
There is no legal or official designation of stars in the
Flag as representing certain states. However,one can presume
the
state admitted to the Union to be represented by the in the upper
left-hand corner and the latest state admitted
to be the star in the
lower right-corner. Then reading across from left to right, row by
row, top to bottom, the order
would be as follows;
Del. (1787); Pa. (1787); N.J. (1787); Ga. (1788);
Conn. (1788); Mass. (1788).
Md. (1788); S.C. (1788); N.H. (1788); Va. (1788);
N.Y. (1788).
N.C. (1789); R.I. (1790); Vt. (1791); Ky. (1792);
Tenn. (1796); Ohio (1803).
La. (1812); Ind. (1816); Miss. (1817); Ill. (1818);
Ala. (1819).
Me. (1820); Mo. (1821); Ark. (1836); Mich. (1837);
Fla. (1845); Texas (1845).
Iowa (1846); Wis. (1848); Calif. (1850); Minn. (1858);
Ore. (1859).
Kans. (1861); W.Va. (1863); Nev. (1864); Neb. (1867);
Colo. (1876); N.D. (1889).
S.D. (1889); Mont. (1889); Wash. (1889); Idaho (1890);
Wyo. (1890).
Utah (1896); Okia. (1907); N.M. (1912); Ariz. (1912);
Alaska (1959); Hawaii (1959).
COLORS IN THE FLAG
The red, white and blue colors and their arrangement in the
Flag are often interpreted as expressing the very
character of our
nation. The Continental Congress of 1777 declared that the white
stars in a field of blue shall represent
a "new constellation"
George Washington described the white in the Flag as symbolizing
our desire for liberty-the land
of the free. We say the red
signifies the cougage and sacrifices of the nation's defenders, and
the blue has been
likened to the loyalty and unity of our citizens.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FLAG
The Flag of the United States of America, has 13 horizontal
stripes-alternating 7 red and 6 white-with the red stripes
at top
and bottom. The canton, or union of navy blue, occupies the upper
left-hand quarter next to the staff and extends
from the top to the
lower edge of the fourth red stripe. The 50 stars in the field equal
the number of states admitted
oficially to the Union. The stars are
arranged, with one point up, in 9 horizontal rows. Rows 1,3,5,7 and
9 have 6 stars
each. Rows 2,4,6 and 8 have 5 stars each with stars
centered diagonally between stars in the longer rows above and
below.
To determine the proper size Flag for a flagpole, figure
25 percent of the height of the flagpole, from the ground,
as the
correct LENGHT for the Flag.
FEDERAL FLAG CODE
Public Law 344, passed by the 94th Congress, is known as the
Federal Flag Code. It is the guide for handing
and display of the
United States Flag.
It was established for the use of such civilians or civilian
groups or organizations as may not be required to confrom
with
regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the
Government of the United States.
The Code does not impose penalties for the misuse of the
Flag. That is left up to the states and to the Federal
Government
for the District of Columbia. Each state has its own flag code.
FLAG RULES
Here are the rules for proper display and use of the United
States Flag, as established by generally accepted custom
and by
Public Law 94-344 approved by Congress and signed by the President
of the United States.
1. 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-hours a day if properly illuminated during the
hours of darkness.
2. The Flag should be hoisted briskly and Lowered
ceremoniously.
3. The Flag should not be displayed on days when the weather
is inclement, except when an
all weather flag is displayed.
4. The Flag should be displayed on all special days.
(See list on special days)
5. The Flag should be displayed daily on or near the main
administration building of every institution.
6. The Flag should be displayed in or near every polling
place on election days.
7. The Flag should be displayed during school days in or
near every schoolhouse.
8. When the Flag is diaplayed from a staff projecting from
a window sill, balcony or building
front the uinon of the Flag
should be at the peak of the staff unless the Flag is at half-staff
When suspended over a sildewalk from a rope between a building and
a pole at the edge of
the sidewalk, the Flag should be hoisted out
from the building, union first.
9. When displayed over the middle of the street, the Flag of
the U.S.A. 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.
10. When carried in a parade front with other flags the U.S.
Flag should always be
to the marching right of the other flags, or
to the front and center of the flag line.
11. When displayed on a float in a parade the U.S. Flag should
be mounted on a staff,
or if displayed flat, it should be so
suspended that its folds fall free, as though the were
staffed.
12. 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 motor car, the staff should be fixed
firmly
to the chassis, or clamped to the right fender.
13. The Flag should never be carried flat or horizontally,
but always aloft and free.
14. During the cermony 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 hand and hold it at
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.
15.During the 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 their right hand and
hold it at the left shoulder,
the hand being over the heart.
Persons in uniform 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.
16. The PLedge of Allegiance to the Flag 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 left should, the hand being
over the heart. Persons
in uniform should remain silent, face the
Flag, and render the military salute.
17. When flags of two or more nations are displayed they
should be flown from separate staffs
of the of the same height and
and the flags should be of approximately equal size.
18. When flags or pennants of states, cities or societies are
on the same halyard with the
Flag of the U.S.A., the latter should
always be at the peak. When flown from adjacent staffs
the U.S.
Flag should be hoisted first and lowered last.
19. No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on
the same leved, to the right
of the U.S. Flag, except during church
services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when
the church
pennant may be flown above the Flag during church services for
navy personnel. (See Public Law 107).
20. When a number of flags of states or cities, or pennants
of societies are grouped
and displayed from staffs with the U.S.
Flag the latter should be at the center and highest
point of the
group.
21. When displayed with another flag, the U.S. Flag should be
to its own right, or the observer's
left, with its staff over that
of the other flag.
22. The U.S. Flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.
Regimental colors, state,
city, organiztional or other flags are
dipped as mark of honor.
Note: There is one exception to the above provision.
U.S. Navy vessel, upon receiving a salute by the dipping
of the flag from a vessel registerd by a nation which is formally
recognized by the U.S., must return the compliment dip for dip.
23. Do not display the Flag of the U.S.A., with the union
down, execept as a signal of dir
distress in instances of extreme
danger to life or property.
24. Do not let the Flag of United States touch anything
beneath it, such as the ground,
floor, water or merchandise.
25. The U.S. Flag should be a distinctive feature of a
ceremony for unveiling a stature
or monument, but the Flag should
never be used as the cover for the statue or monument.
26. 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 U.S.
Government and the Governor of state, territory,
or posession, as
as a mark of respect to their memory.
27. When displayed either horizontally or verticlly 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.
28. The U.S. Flag shoulh never be used as drapery, never
festooned, drawn back, nor
up, in folds. It should always be
allowed to fall free. Bunting should be used for decoration.
29. Blue, white and red bunting should be used for covering
a speaker's stand, draping a
platform front or for general
decorations. Such bunting should always be arranged with
the
blue above, white in the middle and red below.
30. When bunting is displayed vertically, the blue will be to
the observer's felt, white
in the center and red on the right.
31. The Flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or
stored in such manner as
will permit it to be easily torn, soiled
or damaged.
32. The Flag should never be used as a ceiling cover.
33. Never hang or drape the Flag in any position below the
seats on a platform.
34. When used on a speaker's platform, the Flag, if displayed
flat, should be above the
and behind the speaker. Use bunting to
decorate a speaker's desk or the front of the platform.
35. When displayed from a staff in 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 the left of the clergyman or to
the right of the
audience.
36. The U.S. Flag should never be used as a table cover or
receptacle for receiving,
holding, carrying or delivering anything.
37. The U.S. Flag should never have placed upon any part of
it, nor attached to it,
any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure,
picture or drawing of any nature.
38. 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.
39. When the Flag is used on a casket its union should be over
the deceased's left
should. Carry the casket foot first. The Flag
should not lowered into the grave, nor
allowed to touch the ground.
40. After a U.S. Flag has been used as a casket cover it may,
and should, be displayed in
every normal manner.
41. When the Flag is placed upon a grave, see that it will not
touch the ground. Do not
leave it there indefinitely. In Arlington
and other National Cemeteries Flags are removed the
following day.
42. Never destroy a U.S. Flag in public ceremony. When the
Flag is so badly torn, soild
or faded that is no longer a fitting
emblem for display the Flag should be destroyed in private,
preferably by buring and without ceremony. A torn Flag may be
mended, or if soiled it
may be washed or dry cleaned.
43. Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the U.S.
Flag may be changed or repealed,
or additional rules may be
prescribed only by the President of the United States, acting
as
Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Any such change shall be
set forth in a Presidential proclamation.
WHEN TO DISPLAYED FLAG
The Flag should be displayed on all days, especially on
New Year's Day, January 1, Inauguration Day, January 20; Lincoln's
Brithday,
February 12; Washington's Brithday, third Monday in
February; Easter Sunday (Variable); Mother's Day, second Sunday in
May;
Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-
staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June14;
Independence
Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September;
Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in
October;
Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11;
Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day,
December
25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the
President of the United States; the brithday of States
( date of
admission) and on State holidays.
FLAG PRESENTATION
Presentation of the Flag should preceded by a brief talk
emphasizing the importance of the occasion. The following
is
suggested;
" May the Flag that is being to you always be displayed
proudly.
" Guard and respect this Flag at all times, for
it is the
symbol of every high ideal in the American
way of life.
" The red in our nation's Flag is made more brilliant
by the
heroism and sacrifices of our brave defenders;
the white more
stainlessly pure because of the
motives which impelled them; and
the blue in the
starry field of our banner is made more beautiful
by
the the loyaltry and unity of all our people-for liberty
and justice."
Following the presentation all present should salute the Flag, recite the pledge of allegiance and
sing the national anthem.
PUBLIC LAW 107
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 displayed the flag of the United Nations
in aposition of superior
prominence or honor, and 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 or at any place at which any official meeting or
proceeding
of the United Nations is in progress. Whoever knowingly
violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not more
than
$250 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
FOLDING THE FLAG
1. Two persons, facing each other, hold the Flag waist high
and horizontally between them.
2. They fold the lower striped section, lengthwise, over the
blue field. Hold bottom to top,
edges together,securely.
3. Then fold the Flag again, lenghtwise, folded edge to
open edge.
4. A triangular fold is started along the length of the Flag,
from the end to the heading,
by bringing the striped
corner of the folded edge to meet the open edge.
5. Outer point is turned inward parallel with the open edge,
forming a second triangle.
6. Repeat the triangular folding until entire lenght of the
Flag is folded.
7. When the Flag is completely folded only the triangular
blue field should be visible.
SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: Is it proper burn a discarded U.S. Flag in public?
A: No, never. Such a flag should be destroyed privately,
in
whole, preferably by buring and without ceremony.
Q: Is it proper to place the Bible, flowers,
a lodge emblem
or any other object upon the U.S. Flag?
A: No. Nothing should ever rest upon
the U.S. Flag
Q: Is it correct to half-staff the U.S. Flag on Veterans Day?
A: No, because this occasion, originally
known as Armistice
Day, was a day of celebration, not of mourning.
Q: How long should
a U.S. Flag be left upon a grave?
A: Not more than one day.
Q: Would it be proper to fly or display a U.S. Flag
after it
has served as a casket flag?
A: Yes.
Q: Should a Flag having less than 50 stars
be discarded?
A: No. While it is better to have a current Flag it is not
improper to display
an earlier one.
Q: If two flags are staffed before the entrance of a building
on which side should
be the U.S. Flag?
A: On the left as observed from the street.
Q: Is it permissible to wear a button or pin properly
depicting the U.S. Flag?
A: Yes, such may be worn as a patriotic item.
Q: Should one rise and salute each of many U.S.
Flags carried
in a parade?
A: Technically, yes, but it is acceptable to salute the lead
flag and stand at attention as other pass.
Q: What is the correct way to carry the Flag into a lodge or
other meeting and place it in its stand?
A: With the audience standing silently facing the platform
the color bearer,followed by escorts, marches to the front
faces the audience. Escorts take pisitions
on either side
of the Flag bearer. The audience may then recite the
pledge of allegiance and sing the national anthem. Flag
bearer places Flag in its stand. Audience
is seated.
Flag detail departs.
Q: Should a Flag bearer hold any portion of the Flag against
the staff?
A: Only when lowering staff through a doorway.
