A set of rules for civilian flag courtesy popularly known as The Flag Code was first formulated by the National Flag Conference meeting in Washington, D. C., June 14-15, 1923. The Flag Code was an attempt by prominent patriotic organizations to collect together in one instrument: Statutes, executive orders, and rules of established custom and usage relating to the Flag of the United States.

On December 22, 1942, Public Law 829 (77th Congress, 2nd Session) was approved, giving official sanction to most of the provisions of The Flag Code. This Public Law established The Flag Code in Title 36, United States Code, Chapter 10, Sections 173-178, including The Flag Code § 176(k) on disposal of unserviceable flags.

It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset 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.

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 to the left of the observer in the street.       
When displayed over the middle of the street, as between two buildings, the flag of the United States should be suspended vertically with the union to the north on an east-west street and with the union to the east on a north-south street.

When the flag of the United States is displayed 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.  

No other flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States 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. Then the church pennant may be flown above the flag.

When carried in a procession with another flag or other flags, the flag of the United States should be either on the marching right, i.e., the flag's own right, or when there is a line of other flags, the flag of the United States may be in front of the center of that line.

No part of the United States flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. When the flag is worn on the shoulder of a uniform, the canton or blue field shall be forward to depict the flag flying while marching. This applies to either shoulder.

The United States flag should always be on its own right in relation to other flags on adjacent staffs - to the left of the observer - except when displayed as specified below. 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 of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

The flag should never be used as a drapery of any sort whatsoever, never festooned, drawn back, nor up in folds, but always allowed to fall free.

The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. Back to Top

Respect for the American Flag
The following guidelines are based on Public Law 829 (77th Congress, 2nd Session) was approved, December 22, 1942. This Public Law established The Flag Code in Title 36, United States Code, Chapter 10, Sections 173-178, including The Flag Code § 176(k) on disposal of unserviceable flags. 

(a) The United States Flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.      

(b) The United States Flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.     

(c) The United States Flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.        

(d) The United States Flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.       

(e) The United States Flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.          

(f) The United States Flag should never have anything placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.         

(g) The United States Flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.        

(h) The United States Flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins, boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.           

(i) The United States Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

(The United States Flag Code § 176(k)) U.S.C.A. 700, subsection (a) (1) states: “This subsection does not prohibit any conduct consisting of the disposal of a United States flag when it becomes worn or soiled." (Added by the Flag Protection Act of 1989, subsequent to several Supreme Court decisions.) Back to Top