| Everyday
Flag Etiquette
General
Display
It
is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise
to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the
open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag
may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated
during the hours of darkness.
1.
When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a
wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own
right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in
a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with
the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the
street.
No
other flag or pennant should be placed above, or, if on the
same level, to the right of the flag of the United States
of America, except during church services conducted by naval
chaplains at sea...for personnel of the Navy...when the church
pennant may be flown above the flag.
No
person shall display the flag of the United States or any
other 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 any place within the
United States or any Territory or possession thereof; Provided,
that nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance
of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag
of the united Nations in a position of superior prominence
or honor, and other 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 should always be at the peak.
| 3.
When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag
of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered
last. No such flag or pennant may 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 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. |
 |
| 5.
The flag of the United States of America should be a the
center and at the highest point of the group when a number
of 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 should be of approximately equal size. International
usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above
that of another national in time of peace. |
 |
Churches,
Auditoriums
7.
When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed
flat, should 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 hold the position
of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in
the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right
as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should
be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or the right
of the audience.
Half-Staff
The
flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to
the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff
position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before
it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day, the flag should
be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to
the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag
shall be flown at half-staff 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 death of other officials or foreign dignitaries,
the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential
instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs
or practices not inconsistent with law.
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 State, territory or possession
may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff.
|