U.S. Flag Etiquette
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 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
- 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 it on the same level to the right of the flag of the United States of America. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations 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.
- When flags of states, cities or localities or pennants of societies are flown on the same yard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak.
- 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.
- 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, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
- The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags or states or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
- 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 nation in time of peace.
Auditoriums
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 public auditorium, the flag of the Untied States of America should hold the position of superior prominence in advance of the audience and in the position of honor at the speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the 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 a 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 the 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 may be flown at half-staff.
National Holidays
The flag should be displayed, from sunrise to sunset, on all days when the weather permits, especially on:
• New Year's Day
• Inauguration Day
• Martin Luther King's birthday
• Lincoln's birthday
• Washington's birthday
• Easter Sunday
• Patriots Day, April 19
• National Day of Prayer, the 1st Thursday of May
• Mother's Day
• Armed Forces Day
• Memorial Day (half-staff until noon)
• Flag Day
• Independence Day, July 4
• Labor Day
• Constitution Day
• Columbus Day, October 12
• Navy Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• Election Days
State and Local Holidays
• Your state birthday (date of admission to the union); Texas' birthday is December 29, 1845 (10th U.S. flag design/28 stars for the 28th state).
• Other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States.
For more information concerning flag etiquette, please visit http://www.usflag.org/flag.etiquette.html.
Adapted from the Flag Code of The United States.
Public Law 94-344, July 7, 1976
