American Flag Etiquette

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American Flag Etiquette

It’s the universal custom to show the American flag solely from dawn to sundown on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs within the open. Nonetheless, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag could also be displayed twenty-four hours a day if correctly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

1.) When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union needs to be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that’s, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the identical manner, with the union or blue area to the left of the observer in the street.

No other flag or pennant ought to be positioned above, or, if on the identical level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, besides throughout church services carried out by naval chaplains at sea…for personnel of the Navy…when the church pennant may be flown above the flag.

No particular person shall show the flag of the United Nations or another 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 anyplace throughout the United States or any Territory or possession thereof; Provided, that nothing on this part shall make illegal the continuance of the apply heretofore adopted of displaying the flag of the United Nations ready of superior prominence or honor, and different 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.

2.) When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter ought to always be on the peak.

3.) When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States must be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant should be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s right.

4.) The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with one other flag in opposition to a wall from crossed staffs, needs to be on the correct, the flag’s own right}, and its staff needs to be in front of the staff of the other flag.

5.) The flag of the United States of America must be on the center and on the highest level of the group when quite a few flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

6.) When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags ought to be of approximately equal size. Worldwide utilization forbids the show of the flag of 1 nation above that of one other nation in time of peace.

7.) When used on a speaker’s platform, the flag, if displayed flat, ought to be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should maintain the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the place of honor on the clergyman’s or speaker’s proper as he faces the audience. Another flag so displayed ought to be positioned on the left of the clergyman or speaker or the right of the audience.

The outdoor American flag, when flown at half-staff, needs to be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-workers position. The flag must be once more raised to the peak earlier than it’s lowered for the day. On Memorial Day, the flag must be displayed at half-staff till midday only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-employees upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of the State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the dying of other officers or foreign dignitaries, the American flag is to be displayed at half-staff in accordance with Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with acknowledged customs or practices not inconsistent with law.

In the event of the death of a present or former official of the federal government of any State, territory or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory or possession might proclaim that the Nationwide flag shall be flown at half-staff.

— Excerpts From The Flag Code of the United States – Public Law 94-344
July 7, 1976

American Flag at Half Staff
Federal tips state the flag ought to be flown at half staff at the following dates/times:

* May 15 – Peace Officers Memorial Day
* Final Monday in Might – Memorial Day (till noon)
* July 27 – Korean War Veterans Day
* September 11 – Patriot Day
* December 7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
* For 30 days – DeatH of a US President or former President
* For 10 days – Death~ of a US Vice President, Supreme Court Chief Justice/retired Chief Justice, or Speaker of the House of Representatives.
* From death until the day of interment – US Supreme Court Associate Justice, member of the Cabinet, former Vice President, President pro-tempore of the Senate, or the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives. Additionally for federal facilities inside a state or territory, for the governor.
* On the day after the death – US Senators, Members of Congress, territorial delegates or the resident commissioner of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico