United states flag etiquette title 4, united states code, chapter 1 as adopted by the national flag conference, washington, d. The american flag, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flags own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. Discipleship ministries should we have flags in the. Sep 08, 2017 learn about the united states flag with a level reading book for prekindergarten with simple fun facts about the stripe and stars. Flag etiquette the american flag is more than fabric and thread. Buy a flag for your home, mount a flag pole on the front porch, and learn about flag etiquette with your kids. It is chapter 1 of title 4 of the united states code 4 u. Flag etiquette for kids is one of the unique skills that should be one of life skills for teens that you work on this year when i was a kid we always had a united states flag flying at our house. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any state, territory, or possession of the united states. He wrote more than 250 flag histories for encyclopedia britannica. Many of our readers ask about american flag etiquette and the u.
Shop online on your ipad or smartphone check online for more details about american flag etiquette. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the american flag should occupy the position of honor and be placed at the clergymans or speakers right. The flag is flown at halfstaff by order of the president upon the death of principal figures of the united states government and the governor of a state, territory, or possession. Never display the flag with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress when there is extreme danger to life or property. That is left to the states and to the federal government for the district of columbia. It should be noted that each state attorney general has the responsibility to set flag policy, including the national flag, for their respective states. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the united states or to the right of the united states flag. Kids love things like this and will enjoy having a flag on the porch on patriotic holidays. More flag etiquette tips here are more basic flag etiquette guidelines. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the united states should be hoisted first and lowered last. If inside the communion railing, the flag is placed to the right of the altar. While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. While flag etiquette used to be routinely taught to children in scouting organizations, many kids are not aware of these rules. The dar promotes and encourages a strong patriotic feeling and respect for the flag of the united states of america.
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the united states of america. Criminal penalties for certain acts of desecration to the flag were contained in title 18 of the united states code prior to 1989. American flag etiquette rules on displaying, folding. When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag. No penalty or punishment is specified in the flag code for display of the flag of the united states in a manner other than as suggested, states a congressional. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any state, territory, or possession of the united states, the governor of that. He designed flags for the saudi navy and helped design flags for the islands of bonaire and aruba. United states flag code full text of united states code, title 4, chapter 1, available at cornell university law school. On a platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker, with the union to the observers left. It is surprising to see the various star arrangements an not the simple add a star as you might think. Displaying the flag with other flags on american soil.
The flag remained as a precious heirloom in the driver family until 1922. Never let the flag touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, floor, water, or. Flag etiquette and rules american flag and flagpole co. Flag code defines the legal etiquette for the care, use and display of the american flag.
It is section 1 of title 4 of the united states code 4 u. Investigation of an american icon is a documentary photo essay, investigating the principle identity, misuse, commodification and desecration of the american flag in the context of the u. The united states flag code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the national flag of the united states of america. Flag is a general descriptive term for a cloth device with a distinguishing color or design, which has a special meaning or serves as a signal. The american flag must always be displayed in a position of prominence. United states flag etiquette us flag etiquette veterans.
Etiquette of the flag of the united states of americaby. People should not display other flags above the united states flag. Flag, pledge of allegiance, and national anthem etiquette. Learn about the united states flag with a level reading book for prekindergarten with simple fun facts about the stripe and stars. In the military service, the color is a flag of a dismounted unit. When one flag is used with the flag of the united states of america and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the united states is placed on its own right with. Kids love things like this and will enjoy having a flag. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the united states or to the united states flag s left. The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol. The united states flag code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag of the united states.
I have also included some nonacceptable methods in dealing with our flag. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the united states or to the united states flag. 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. Previous to flag day, june 14, 1923 there were no federal or state regulations governing display of the united states flag.
Standards of respect parading and saluting the flag the salute. The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger. Below are highlights of the proper etiquette and respect to be given to our flag. It was then sent to the smithsonian institution in washington d. The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which americans pledge their allegiance. When it is so used, the union white stars on blue background is placed above the deceaseds left shoulder. I pledge of allegiance to flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands one nation.
The publication was last revised o n 1 5 o c t o b e r 1 9 8 9, a u t h e n t i c a t e d b y order of the secretary of the army by carl e. To request flag etiquette brochures for your organization, contact the office at 65120124 or by email at secretary. It should be put on a stage in a room to its righthand side. Our flag small book lets be right on flag etiquette american legion both in good condition, small mark on flag etiquette book. The flag of the united states of america, often referred to as the american flag or u. A guide to protocol and etiquette for official entertainment department of the army pamphlet 600 60 history. Flag code perhaps the most important guideline involves how citizens should behave around the stars and stripes. Who designed the original stars and stripes flag of the united states is a point never definitely confirmed. On june 22, 1942, congress passed a joint resolution, later amended on december 22, 1942, that encompassed what has come to be known as the u. It does not impose penalties for misuse of the united states flag. The flag of the united states is always the first flag raised and the last to lowered. The flag of the united states is used to drape the coffins of deceased veterans of the armed forces. The office of the minnesota secretary of state provides information and resources for citizens interested in flag etiquettethe protocol for handling and displaying the flag of the united states and other flags.
Everything you need is presented in a comprehensive, detailed, and wellorganized book that makes it easy to navigate official protocol. Otherwise, the united states flag code dictates that the christian flag must fly below the american flag, although they may be on the same pole. Here is a list of rules and guidelines for displaying the american flag and treating it with proper respect. According to united states code found in title 4, chapter 1. It consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red top and bottom alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton referred to specifically as the union bearing fifty small, white, fivepointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal. United states flag code formulated shortly after the attack on pearl harbor by representatives from 68 national organizations including the military, the code formalizes and unites a set of instructions.
Flag code formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used the following is a list. The united states holds the service of those who protect our country in very high regard. The flag code has many rules for the display of the flag, and most of these are common sense based on the idea that our flag should be given the prominence of honor when displayed with other flags or banners. The united nations flag cannot be in a superior position to the united states flag, except at the united nations headquarters. United states flag etiquette the flag of the united states. On the other hand, the flag code united states statutes at large, seventyseventh congress, second session 1942, volume 56 part i, public laws states in section 3 k. The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. The distinctive stars and stripes are a symbol of patriotism, bravery and history. In other countries and places, local etiquette applies. United states flag etiquette the pledge of allegience and the national anthem excerpt from the us flag code the pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
The flag of the united states should never be dipped to any person or thing. Personnelgeneral a guide to protocol and etiquette for. As we would raise the flag together, my dad would share what the flag. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite. When flying next to the american flag the christian flag may only fly above the american flag during church services. It was on this date that the national flag code was adopted by the national flag conference which was attended by representatives of the army and navy which had evolved their own procedures, and some 66 other national groups. In fact, the united states has an entire flag code to govern how american flags are handled and presentedwe broke down the guidelines below. He wrote several books including the flag book of the united states, flags through the ages and across the world, and flag lore of all nations.
The american flag, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag s own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. On united states soil, our flag always should be given the place of honor among other flags. Guidelines for display of the flag public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, contains rules for handling and displaying the u. The flag, and all it stands for, has always been very important to my dad. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. United states department of defense directive 1005 united states department of defense directive 48 united states department of defense instruction 48. Chapter 1, title 4, united states code governs the usedisplay of the national flag for federal agencies and provides guidance for others. This code formalizes and unifies a set of instructions on handling, displaying and caring for the american flag. Representatives of 68 national organizations including the army and navy came together to create the united states flag code, which became public law about a year after the attack on pearl harbor. Aug 20, 2007 the book is organized by the flags as stars were added, some one,some two at a time, giving a short history of those states leading to their joining the united states and a picture of that flag. Respect for the flag the flag of the united states should always be treated with deference, respect, and reverence.
The american flag is displayed even above church flags. United states protocol is a musthave reference for communicating with government and business officials, international organizations, and highlevel military personnel, both in the united states and abroad. Discipleship ministries should we have flags in the church. The flag of the united states, the white flag of truce, and weather flags are examples. One of the most symbolic ways we show our appreciation is by incorporating the american flag into the traditions and rituals of military and police funerals. The flag of the united states is the emblem of our identity as a sovereign nation, which the united states. United states code the flag american flag and flagpole co. When i was a kid we always had a united states flag flying at our house. Crs the united states flag federal law relating to display and associated questions. The book includes details of the laws relating to the u.
450 886 603 1129 1113 868 1420 1270 387 1121 943 1439 102 1211 489 894 421 594 973 550 743 1297 1115 130 959 942 1544 695 1480 432 527 812 300 980 185 1539 234 62 729 309 28 882 736 622 1249 449 1094 522