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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.
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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.
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.
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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, the flag's own 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 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.
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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.
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Churches,
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
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.
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