Displaying the American Flag

1. When displaying the flag over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street, or to the east in a north and south street.
2. When displaying the flag of the United States of America with another flag, display them against a wall with crossed staffs. The American Flag should be on the right, the flag's own right (viewer's left) and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
3. When flying the flag at half-staff, the flag should be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. When lowering the flag for the day it should be raised to the peak and then lowered.  The term "half-staff" means lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.  Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade only by order of the President of the United States.
4. When flying flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the American Flag 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 flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States (viewer's left).  When the flag is placed at half-mast, both flags are half-masted, with the US flag at the mid-point and the other flag below.
5. When flying the flag suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building. 
6. When displaying the flag of the United States from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. 
7. When covering a casket with the flag, it should be placed so the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
8. When displaying the flag in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, the flag should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right (observer's left).
9. When carrying the flag in a procession with another flag, or flags, the American flag should be on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line. 
10.  When a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.  The American flag should be center and at the highest point of the group  
11.  When displaying flags of two or more nations, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height.  The flags should be of approximately equal size.  In time of peace, International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation.
12.  When the flag is displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium on or off a podium, 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. Other flag's displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience).
13. When displaying the flag on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender. 
14. When displayed in a window the flag should be displayed with the union or blue field at the head to the left of the observer in the street. 
When the flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.





Flag HolidaysThe Flag should especially be displayed on the following:
  • New Year's Day, January 1 
    Inauguration Day, January 20 
    Lincoln's Birthday, February 12 
    Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February
    Easter Sunday (variable) 
    Mother's Day, second Sunday in May
    Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May
    Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May
    Flag Day, June 14 
    Independence Day, July 4
    Labor Day, first Monday in September
    Constitution Day, September 17 
    Columbus Day, second Monday in October
    Navy Day, October 27 
    Veterans Day, November 11
    Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November
    Christmas Day, December 25 
    Other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States
    Birthdays of States (date of admission) 
    State holidays.
On the following days, the flag is to be flown at half-mast for the entire day:
  • May 15 - Peace Officers Memorial Day 
    July 27 - Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
    December 7 - Pearl Harbor Day 


AMERICAN FLAG ETIQUETTE Displaying the Flag Outdoors. 
  • The flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. 
    The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.
    When the flag is displayed on the same flagpole with another flag, the U.S. flag must always be at the top.
Raising and Lowering the Flag.
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The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. 
  • Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. 
    It should be illuminated if displayed at night. 
    When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. 
    To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.