The American Flag is an important symbol of the United States of America, and should be treated as such. The rules and suggestions that follow are meant to encourage flag display in an appropriate manner, and are in conformance with rules and customs established by Congress in 1942.
Here are some simple rules for properly displaying the American flag:
The flag can, and should, be displayed on any day with decent weather during daylight hours. It may be flown during the night as well if it is properly illuminated, usually by a spotlight. Federal holidays are excellent opportunities for flag display, as is Flag Day.
On Memorial Day, the flag is traditionally flown at half staff until noon, when it is then raised to full height. At other times, the President of the United States proclaims when the flag should be flown at half mast.
When giving the Pledge of Allegiance, persons should stand at attention and face the flag. Those in uniform should salute; otherwise, the right hand is placed over the heart. The correct wording of the Pledge of Allegiance is as follows:
"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."
When a flag's condition is poor, it should be destroyed by burning.
Exuberance over "showing the flag" should never win out over taste and decorum. The flag should never be used for purposes of advertising; nor should it be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. To make a patriotic display, consider red, white and blue bunting. Flag patches should not be part of an athletic uniform, but may be worn on the uniforms of military personnel, firemen, Scouts, and members of patriotic or other national organizations.
Unfurl the starry banner,
Till with loving eyes we view
The stars and stripes we honor
And the folds of azure blue.
'Tis the pride of all our nation
And the emblem of its powers -
The gem of all creation
Is that starry flag of ours.
Then raise aloft "Old Glory,"
And its colors bright surround,
In battle fierce and gory,
Or in peace with honor bound.
Let it float from spire and steeple,
And from house-tops, masts and towers,
For the banner of the people
Is that starry flag of ours.
Now, behold it, bright and peerless,
In the light of freedom's sky;
See its colors floating, fearless,
As the eagle soaring high.
And amid the cannon's rattle
And the bullets' deadly showers,
Ten million men will battle
For that starry flag of ours.
Some additional flag facts:
Q. How many stars and stripes are on the flag?
A. There are 50 stars representing the 50 states and
there are 13 stripes representing the 13 original states.
Flag: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with
white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small
white five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars
(top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the
50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old
Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags
including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico.
Q. When are new stars added to the flag?
A. A new star is added to the flag on the July 4th following the entry into the Union of the new state.
Q. What are the specifications for the colors of the flag?
A. In the Pantone system the colors are: Blue PMS 281 and Red PMS 193.
Q. Who made the first flag?
A. Betsy Ross, made the first flag.
See also:
Stars and Stripes on this website
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