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 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.
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 Stares 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 Unites States of America should be at 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 nation in time of peace.
Churches, Auditoriums
7. When used an 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 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 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 of the United States, the Governor of that State,
territory or
possession may proclaim that the National flag may be flown at half-staff.
NOTE: the U.S.
Flag should always be on it's own right in relation to other flags on adjacent
staffs -- to the left of the observer -- except when displayed as in #5.
Excerpts From The Flag
Code of
The United States --
Public Law 94-344, July 7, 1976