The united states flag code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the national flag of the united states of america. Display the flag with the union down, except in an emergency. Flag retirement options how to properly dispose of a tattered american flag disposal locations displaying a flag outside for all to see, where it will experience different temperatures and everchanging weather, will result in a worn flag eventually even the best flags. The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the united states of america is established for the. It should not be flown lower than another flag nor should it be smaller than another flag. The united states flag code outlines proper flag etiquette for everything from properly folding a flag to flying a flag correctly. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god. Official etiquette for the use and display of the american flag was first set down by the national flag code, which was adopted june 14, 1923.
The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Listed below are the flag etiquette rules, guidelines. Proper american flag etiquette boy scouts of america can help. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite. Flag manual the starspangled banner the national anthem of the united states by act of congress, march 3, 1931 oh, say, can you see, by the dawns early light, whose broad stripes and bright. Special olympics has created these rules based upon rules from a national flag football organization. Prior to flag day, june 14, 1923, neither the federal government nor the states had official guidelines governing the display of the united states flag. If there are going to be other flags present besides the us flag, then they should be to the right of the us flag either at the podium or on the floor by the podium as viewed by the audience. 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. How to honor and display the american flag when displaying the flag, it is important to remember to use the guidelines laid out by the u. When and how to retire an american flag respectfully. When the flag is susp ended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
The flag, when flown at halfstaff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the halfstaff position. 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 flag of the united states shall have thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white, and a union consisting of white stars on a field of blue. The flag is typically flown from sunrise to sundown. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, contains rules for handling and displaying the u. The american flag code states the american flag should be lit when flown at night. It is chapter 1 of title 4 of the united states code 4 u. North american vexillological association the flag experts of the united states and canada compiled by ted kaye good flag, bad flag how to design a great flag. The constitution was signed on september 17, 1787 by 40 men from 12 states in geographical order from the north to the south. There are very specific rules guiding the proper american flag etiquette. American, commonwealth and military flag act an act providing.
There are certain rules that pertain to flying the united states flag. Bold and underlined rules in this handbook indicate new rules or rules that need special attention. On a stage, the american flag should be placed to the. On a stage, the american flag should be placed to the speakers right and all other flags placed to the left. When displayed from a staff projecting horizontally from a windowsill, balcony, or building, the stars of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at halfstaff. No other flag should ever be flown above the american flag. Flag etiquette and flagpole etiquette morgan francis. She is the stars and stripes, the star spangled banner, old. Do not allow the flag to touch the ground any time during the raising and lowering process. It is the universal custom to display the american flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. If a flag cannot be properly displayed in relation to the previous rule, then that flag should be grounded and removed from the pole or display.
Most american legion posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on flag. Players must wear two usffa approved same length flags attached to a belt at the waist. Show your national pride on memorial day by displaying the flag but be sure to consult the flag. The american flag should be flown at halfstaff until noon on memorial day and by presidential or governor order only.
The us flag should be at a point midway on the pole and the state flag should fly beneath it. This educational handbook has been prepared by the american flag foundation, inc. As adopted by the national flag conference, washington, d. Rules for the american flag that you should always follow. The flag of the united states should be at the center and at the highest point when grouped together. The official special olympics sports rules for flag football shall govern all special olympics competitions. When outdoors in uniform and when the american flag is being raised or lowered. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twentyfour hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered cautiously. Most american legion posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on flag day, june 14th. Oct 01, 2019 flagpole guidelines regarding the height of a flagpole appropriate for various sized flags. Powmia appears above the silhouette and the words you are not forgotten appear below in white on the black field. Here is a list of rules and guidelines for displaying the american flag and treating it with proper respect. American forces in the battle of lake erie in september of 18, the flag that withstood enemy bombardment at fort mchenry, maryland on september and 14, 1814, inspiring francis scott key to write the starspangled banner, and it was flown by. Outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge to form a second triangle. How to properly retire an american flag us flag etiquette. The american flag has a long history, and the members of our organization have spent nearly as long defending and honoring our nations most iconic symbol of freedom. Displaying the flag with other flags on american soil. 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. The team with the most points at the end of regulation time is the winner.
This edition of the official playing rules of the national football league contains all current rules governing the playing of professional football that are in effect for the 2019 nfl season. Whether youre looking for the historic details of how the u. A team may make multiple forvyard passes behind the neutral zone. Flag code, passed by congress in 1942, provides guidelines regarding american flag etiquette. Rules for flying the american flag fall under several categories.
When in uniform, a cadet reporting to an officer in his office, will make his presence at the door. A flag should first be folded in half twice, widthwise, then folded into triangles, starting on the striped end. The united states flag is a symbol of our nation and its ideals. It even describes in great detail how to retire an american flag respectfully. An association may adopt rules and regulations regarding the location, size and use of a flagpole but cannot prohibit the use of wall brackets to display the american flag, commonwealth flag and military flag. American flag facts, etiquette and history youtube. When displaying the flag, it is important to remember to use the guidelines laid out by the u. Basic flag football rules object playing area equipment. When displayed from a staff projecting from a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff. Federal law relating to display and associated questions congressional research service 1 background public concern and confusion regarding the proper respect shown to the united states flag has given rise to many questions on the law relating to the flag s handling, display, and use. The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. In a procession, the american flag should be to the right the flag s own right of any other flag or, if in a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line. The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary. How to properly display the american flag event resources.
Shop online on your ipad or smartphone check online for more details about american flag etiquette. Since 1984, approximately th4,000 3rd, 4th and 5 graders from public, private and homestudy schools in baltimore city and the surrounding counties have formed a living american flag at fort mchenry, and elementary schools sites. Jul 03, 2014 ever wonder how to properly care for a united states flag. Many of our readers ask about american flag etiquette and the u. Flag football is played with two teams of 5 8 players who attempt to score points by moving the ball down the field across the goal line. Ever wonder how to properly care for a united states flag. To contemporary americans, the armistead familys treatment of the starspangled bannermarking up the stars and stripes with signatures, cutting off pieces to give away as souvenirsmight seem strange or inappropriate, even though it was customary at the time. When suspended from a rope extending from the building on a pole, the flag should be hoisted out, union first from the building. Display the flag in bad weather, except using an allweather flag. American forces in the battle of lake erie in september of 18, the flag that withstood enemy bombardment at fort mchenry, maryland on september and 14, 1814, inspiring francis scott key to write the starspangled banner, and it was flown by general andrew jackson at the battle for new. Guidelines for display of the flag public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, contains rules for handling and displaying the u. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the united states or to the right of the united states flag. The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol.
The flag code includes instruction and rules on such topics as the pledge of allegiance, display and use. Jul 01, 2019 there are very specific rules guiding the proper american flag etiquette. Although the code is violated in many different ways each day, what matters most is the intent behind the use of the flag. Jun 14, 2018 in 1923, a group of organizations headed by the american legion outlined the national flag code as a set of rules on how to correctly display the flag, which were then turned into law during world. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speakers desk, draping the front of. These principles of good flag design distill the wisdom of many people. It is to be flown from the flag pole with proper respect and honor following the rules and regulations set by the u. Honor the flag how to properly display the american flag. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. American flag etiquette rules on displaying, folding, and. This is so that the us flag is the first one seen by the audience, since americans view read left to right. Contact your local american legion hall and inquire about the availability of this service. The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the united states of america is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the government of the.
According to the united states flag code, an american flag upside down means a sign of distress or great danger. The size of the american flag, commonwealth flag and military flag to be. Raise the flag to the peak momentarily and then lower it to halfstaff. Here, were looking at how to properly display, fold, and care for your american flag. Here is a list of rules and guidelines for displaying the american flag and treating it. The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which americans pledge their allegiance.
The american flag is displayed even above church flags. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. American flag etiquette rules on displaying, folding. The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of. Displaying the flag outdoors when the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be. Flag manual the starspangled banner the national anthem of the united states by act of congress, march 3, 1931 oh, say, can you see, by. Federal law relating to display and associated questions summary this report presents, verbatim, the unite d states flag code as found in title 4 of the united states code and the section of title 36 which designates the starspangled banner as the national anthem a nd provides instructions on how to display. Folded edge is then folded over to meet the open edge. Crs5 the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at halfstaff. While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties.
The american flag must always be displayed in a position of prominence. When the us flag is at halfstaff, do other foreign flags fly at fullstaff. To show respect, be sure to follow flag etiquette and properly hang the american flag. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. Flag code illustrates and describes the correct way to display the american flag. When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. Two veterans from babylon post 94 talk about their efforts to collect and dispose of flags that are no longer up to military standards. When displayed or carried in a procession with other flags, the flag should be positioned to its own right. Standards of respect parading and saluting the flag the salute. The flag code modification of rules and customs by president.
The educational resource handbook the american flag. The playing field is a rectangle usually around 6080 yards long and 2030 yards. Federal law relating to display and associated questions congressional research service 1 background public concern and confusion regarding the proper respect shown to the united states flag has given rise to many questions on the law relating to the flags handling, display, and use. Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the united states of america, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the commander in chief of the armed forces of the united states, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable. Flag how to display the powmia flag of the national league of families the powmia flag features a silhouette of a pow before a guard tower and barbed wire in white on a black field. The american flag code is a guideline for proper flag etiquette. An exception to this is the rule followed by naval vessels when, upon receiving a salute of. The flag code, which 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. Flag code has outlined proper flag etiquette on everything from when, where, and how you should fly an american flag. A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. But pair it with the american flag, and a few different rules must take effect. Flag etiquette and rules how to display flags american.
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