Displaying The American Flag: A Quick Guide

Legal Framework and the Flag Code

The use of the American flag is governed by a comprehensive legal framework known as the United States Flag Code, found in Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1. Enacted by Congress in 1942 and amended several times since, the Flag Code establishes official guidelines and recommendations for the respectful display, handling, and disposal of the flag. While the Flag Code itself does not carry federal penalties for violations, it serves as the primary source of authority on proper flag conduct for civilians and government entities alike. The Code covers a wide range of scenarios, including the flag’s position when displayed with other flags (§7), the manner and times for display (§6), and the conduct expected during flag ceremonies (§9). For instance, Section 7 outlines that the American flag should never be displayed below another flag or to its left (from the observer’s perspective), and when flown with flags of other nations, all flags must be at the same height and of similar size. Section 6 specifies that the flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset unless illuminated adequately at night, and not flown during inclement weather unless it is an all-weather flag. Additionally, Section 8 of the Flag Code details acts considered disrespectful, such as using the flag as clothing, drapery, or for advertising purposes, and mandates that worn or damaged flags be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

Beyond the Flag Code, some states have enacted their own flag statutes, which may impose penalties for misuse or desecration. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that flag desecration is protected under the First Amendment as a form of free speech, thereby limiting the enforceability of punitive laws at both the federal and state levels. Notably, the Flag Protection Act of 1989, which sought to criminalize flag desecration, was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1990. Despite the lack of legal penalties, the Flag Code remains a vital reference for organizations, schools, and individuals wishing to honor the flag in accordance with the nation’s values and traditions. The President also retains the authority to modify flag regulations through executive orders, as seen in Executive Order No. 10834, which formalized the current 50-star design. While the Flag Code is advisory mainly, it provides a respected legal and cultural framework ensuring the American flag is displayed with dignity and respect, reflecting its status as a living symbol of the United States.

How To Display The American Flag

The customs and expected behaviors when handling, displaying, or interacting with the American flag focus on respectful treatment and the avoidance of disrespectful acts.

Know the Orientation of the Flag

The blue field, also known as the union, should always be at the top left when viewed from a distance. This is regardless of whether you are flying it on a pole or displaying it flat against a wall.

Choose an Appropriate Location

When placing the American Flag outdoors, it is important to find a location that will give the flag ample space. Flags should not be placed near trees, buildings, or other objects that could ruin their appearance or obscure them from view. Additionally, they should never touch the ground or any other object and must be securely fastened in place at all times.

Understand the Flag’s Proper Lighting

It should be illuminated at night if it is being displayed outdoors. If you are unable to use a light, the flag should be lowered each evening and raised again in the morning.

Follow Proper Folding Techniques

When folding the flag, it is important to do so in the proper manner. This includes folding it in half lengthwise, then folding it into a triangle shape and tucking the end underneath until it is completely folded.

Specific Display Situations

Whether at public events, on buildings, or during ceremonies, each scenario has its own guidelines for proper display. Understanding these details helps foster respect and uniformity in honoring the nation’s emblem.

• On Flagpoles: When flown on a flagpole, the American flag should always be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. If displayed with other flags on adjacent poles, the U.S. flag must be raised first and lowered last, and no other flag should be placed above or to the right of it. When grouped with state or organizational flags, the flag should occupy the center and the highest position, reinforcing its place of honor at all times.

• Crossed with Other Flags: It should be placed on its own right (observer’s left), and its staff should be in front of the other flag’s staff. This positioning signifies the precedence of the American flag over other banners. The display should be arranged so that the flag’s union (the blue field with stars) is at the top and to the flag’s own right, ensuring its prominence and respect in the arrangement.

• During Speaking Engagements: At speaking engagements or on a speaker’s platform, the American flag should be positioned to the speaker’s right (the audience’s left). If displayed flat, it should be above and behind the speaker, serving as a backdrop that underscores its importance. Other flags, if present, should be placed to the speaker’s left. This arrangement ensures the flag is always in the position of honor during public addresses and ceremonies.

• Over Streets: When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be suspended vertically with the union (stars) facing north on an east-west street or east on a north-south street. If hung over a sidewalk, the union should be farthest from the building. This orientation ensures the flag is properly respected and visible to all passersby, maintaining its dignity in prominent public spaces.

• Grouped with International Flags: When displayed with the flags of other nations, each flag should be flown from a separate pole of equal height, and all flags should be of similar size. The American flag should never be flown above another nation’s flag in times of peace. Instead, all national flags are displayed at the same height, reflecting mutual respect and international protocol while still honoring the American flag’s status.

By following these specific display methods, individuals and organizations can ensure the American flag is presented with the dignity and prominence it deserves. Proper display in various scenarios not only upholds tradition but also fosters a deeper sense of national pride and unity.

Rules And Regulations

The American Flag is a symbol of pride and loyalty for all citizens across the nation. There are general principles and guidelines for displaying the American flag in various settings, ensuring proper respect and adherence to tradition. It should be handled and displayed with the utmost respect. To that end, there are several regulations governing the rules for displaying the flag.

• When outdoors, the US flag should always be flown alone and without any other flags or banners around it.

• It must always be hung or held with stars facing up and cannot touch anything beneath it; no clothing, furniture, plants, or other objects should ever rest on top of or below an American flag.

In addition to these regulations, there are also established protocols, such as proper folding techniques and ceremonial honors paid to both live and retired flags.

While honoring our country's symbols can seem complex at times, knowing how to honor and fully display the US flag is essential to being an informed American citizen. Allowing yourself to become more familiar with these nuances can help ensure that when you show your loyalty, you do so in a respectful manner that pays tribute to this significant national symbol. Abiding by these rules will further reinforce the significance of our nation’s symbol while inspiring many Americans to continue heartfelt displays of nationalism in years to come.

Time and Occasions for Display

Knowing when it is appropriate or customary to display the American flag is a vital part of honoring its significance. The United States Flag Code outlines clear recommendations for the times and occasions on which the flag should be displayed, ensuring its presence reflects national pride and respect. Traditionally, the flag is displayed from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, for those wishing to create a patriotic effect, it is acceptable to display the flag twenty-four hours a day, provided it is properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. Displaying the flag at night without illumination is discouraged, as it diminishes the respect intended for this national symbol. Weather conditions also play a role; the flag should not be flown during inclement weather unless an all-weather flag is used, preserving both the flag’s dignity and physical condition.

Certain days throughout the year are especially designated for the presentation of the U.S. flag, both by tradition and by law. These include federal holidays and dates of national significance such as New Year’s Day (January 1), Inauguration Day (January 20), Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday (third Monday in January), Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12), Washington’s Birthday (third Monday in February), National Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29), Easter Sunday (variable), Mother’s Day (second Sunday in May), Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May), Memorial Day (last Monday in May, with the flag flown at half-staff until noon), Flag Day (June 14), Father’s Day (third Sunday in June), Independence Day (July 4), National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (July 27), 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), and Christmas Day (December 25). Additionally, the flag should be displayed on state holidays, the birthdays of states (the date of their admission to the Union), and other days as may be proclaimed by the President or the governor of a state.