Flag Etiquette
"The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history."
-Woodrow Wilson
Flag Day June 14, 1915
Flag Display
(A) Displaying other than on a staff
When displaying the flag against a wall, either vertically or horizontally, the union (blue field with 50 stars) should be upper most and to the observer’s left (the flag’s own right). The union should also be to the observer’s left when displaying the flag from a window.
(B) On the same halyard
When flying state, city, organizational or institutional flags from the same halyard with the United States flag, the latter should always be at the peak.
(C) From adjacent staffs
When flying from adjacent staffs, the United States flag should be hoisted first and lowered last. Never fly any other flag or pennant above or to the United States flag’s right.
(D) In a group
When displaying in a group with state, city, organization or institutional flags from staffs, the United States flag should be in the center and at the highest point of the group.
(E) Crossed staffs
When displaying with any other flag from crossed staffs, the United States flag should be on the right (the flag’s own right) and its staff should be in front of the other flag.
(F) With other nation’s flags
When displaying two or more nation’s flags, each flag should be on separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be approximately the same size. International customs forbid displaying one nation’s flag over another in times of peace. This is a sign of war time victory and a serious insult.
(G) Speaker platform
The flag of the United States of America should be displayed above and behind the speaker, if displaying flat. If displaying from a staff on a pulpit or public auditorium, the flag should be on the speaker’s right. All the other flags should be placed on the left.
Displaying the flag at half-staff
When flying the flag at half-staff, the flag should be raised to the top of the staff for an instant then lowered to the midway point of the staff (half-staff). It should be raised to the top of the staff again before lowering the flag at the end of the day. The flag is flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon on Memorial Day. It is flown at full staff for the remainder of the day.
In the event of the death of principal figures of the United States government and the governor of the state, territory or possession, the President may order the flag to be flown at half-staff as respect for their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is displayed at half-staff in accordance with recognized customs or practices, not inconsistent with law. The governor of a state, territory or possession of the United States may proclaim that the national flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a present or former official of that state, territory or possession.
When to fly the flag
Our national flag should be displayed on all days that there is no danger the weather will damage it. This not only shows respect for our national symbol, but prolongs the life of the flag. It is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings or on a stationary flagpole in the open. However, it may also be flown at night if it is properly illuminated with a spotlight.
Flag Flying Holidays
-Woodrow Wilson
Flag Day June 14, 1915
Flag Display
(A) Displaying other than on a staff
When displaying the flag against a wall, either vertically or horizontally, the union (blue field with 50 stars) should be upper most and to the observer’s left (the flag’s own right). The union should also be to the observer’s left when displaying the flag from a window.
(B) On the same halyard
When flying state, city, organizational or institutional flags from the same halyard with the United States flag, the latter should always be at the peak.
(C) From adjacent staffs
When flying from adjacent staffs, the United States flag should be hoisted first and lowered last. Never fly any other flag or pennant above or to the United States flag’s right.
(D) In a group
When displaying in a group with state, city, organization or institutional flags from staffs, the United States flag should be in the center and at the highest point of the group.
(E) Crossed staffs
When displaying with any other flag from crossed staffs, the United States flag should be on the right (the flag’s own right) and its staff should be in front of the other flag.
(F) With other nation’s flags
When displaying two or more nation’s flags, each flag should be on separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be approximately the same size. International customs forbid displaying one nation’s flag over another in times of peace. This is a sign of war time victory and a serious insult.
(G) Speaker platform
The flag of the United States of America should be displayed above and behind the speaker, if displaying flat. If displaying from a staff on a pulpit or public auditorium, the flag should be on the speaker’s right. All the other flags should be placed on the left.
Displaying the flag at half-staff
When flying the flag at half-staff, the flag should be raised to the top of the staff for an instant then lowered to the midway point of the staff (half-staff). It should be raised to the top of the staff again before lowering the flag at the end of the day. The flag is flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon on Memorial Day. It is flown at full staff for the remainder of the day.
In the event of the death of principal figures of the United States government and the governor of the state, territory or possession, the President may order the flag to be flown at half-staff as respect for their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is displayed at half-staff in accordance with recognized customs or practices, not inconsistent with law. The governor of a state, territory or possession of the United States may proclaim that the national flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a present or former official of that state, territory or possession.
When to fly the flag
Our national flag should be displayed on all days that there is no danger the weather will damage it. This not only shows respect for our national symbol, but prolongs the life of the flag. It is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings or on a stationary flagpole in the open. However, it may also be flown at night if it is properly illuminated with a spotlight.
Flag Flying Holidays
| New Year’s Day | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King’s Birthday | 3rd Monday in January |
| Inauguration Day | January 20 (every 4 years) |
| Lincoln’s Birthday | February 12 |
| President’s Day | 3rd Monday in February |
| Washington’s Birthday | February 22 |
| Army Day | April 6 |
| Easter Sunday | Varies |
| V‐E Day | May 8 |
| Mother’s Day | 2nd Sunday in May |
| Armed Forces Day | 3rd Sunday in May |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Flag Day | June 14 |
| Father’s Day | 3rd Sunday in June |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | 1st Monday in September |
| V‐J Day | September 2 |
| Patriot Day | September 11 |
| Constitution Day/td> | September 17 |
| Columbus Day | 2nd Monday in October |
| Navy Day | October 27 |
| Presidential Election Day | 1st Tuesday following 1st Monday in November |
| Veteran’s Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | 4th Thursday in November |
| Pearl Harbor Day | December 7 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
| Flag Day | June 14 |
| Father’s Day | 3rd Sunday in June |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Labor Day | 1st Monday in September |
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