CODE of ETIQUETTE for Display and Use of the U.S. Flag By: Scott Brown From: The World Almanac Although the Stars and Stripes originated in 1777, it was not until 146 years later that there was a serious attempt to establish a uniform code of etiquette for the U.S. flag. The War Department issued Feb. 15, 1923, a circular on the rules for flag useage. These were adopted almost in their entirety June 22,1923, by a conference of 68 patriotic organizations in Washington. Finally, on June 22, 1942, a joint resolution of Congress, amended by public law 94-344 July 7,1976, codified "existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag..." When to Display The Flag-- The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on legal holidays and other special occasions, on offical buildings when in use, in or near schools when in session. A citizen may fly the flag at any time he wishes. It is customary to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, it may be displayed at night on special occasions, preferably lighted. In Washington, the flag now flies over the White House both day and night. It flies over the Senate wing of the Capitol when the Senate is in session. It flies day and night over the east and west fronts of the Captiol, without floodlights at night but receiving light from the illuminated Capitol Dome. It flies 24 hours a day at several other places, including the Fort McHenry Nat'l Monument in Baltimore, where it inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner. How to Fly the Flag--The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously, and should never be allowed to touch the ground or the floor. When hung over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a building to a pole, the union should be away from the building. When hung over the center of a street it should have the union to the north in an east-west street and to the east in a north-south street. No other flag may be flown above or, if on the same level, to the right of the U.S. Flag, except at the United Nations Headquarters the UN flag may be placed above flags of all member nations and other national flags may be flown with the equal prominence or honor with the flag of the U.S. At services by Navy chaplins at sea, the church pennant may be flown above the flag. When two flags are placed against a wall with crossed staffs, the U.S. Flag should be at right - it's own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag; when a number of flags are grouped and displayed from staffs, it should be at the center and highest point of the group. Church and Platform use--In an auditorium, the flag may be displayed flat, above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the postiion 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 to the right of the audience. When the flag is displayed horizonally or vertically against a wall, the stars should be uppermost and at the observer's left. How to Dispose of Worn Flags-- The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private. When to Salute the Flag-- All persons present should face the flag, stand at attention and salute on the following occasions: (1) When the flag is passing in a parade or in review, (2) During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering , (3) When the National Anthem is played, and (4) During the pledge of Allegiance. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should the hat with the right hand holding it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Men without hats should salute in the same manner. Aliens should stand at attention. Women should salute by placing the right hand over the heart. On Memorial Day, the flag should fly at half-staff until noon, then be raised to the peak. As provided by Presidential proclamation the flag should fly at half-staff for 30 days from the death of a president or former president; for 10 days from the death of a vice-president, chief justice or retired chief justice of the U.S., or speaker of the House of Representives; From day of death until burial of an associate justice of the Surpreme Court, cabinet member, former vice-president, or Senate president pro tempore, majority or minority Senate leader, majority or minority House leader; for a U.S. senator, representive, territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico, on the day of death and the following day within the metropolitan area of the District of Columbia and from the day of death until burial within the decedent's state, congressional district, territory or commonwealth; and for the death of the governor of a state, territory, or possession of the U.S., from day of death until burial within that state, territory, or possession. When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed so the union is at head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave nor touch the ground. Prohibited uses of the Flag-- The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. (an exception- customarily, ships salute by dipping their colors.) It should never be displayed with the union down save for a distress signal. It should never be carried flat or horizonally, but always aloft and free. It should not be displayed on a float, motor car or boat except from a staff. It should never be used as a covering for a ceiling, nor have placed upon it any word, design, or drawing. It should never be used as a receptacle for carrying anything. It should not be used to cover a statue or a monument. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes, nor be embroidered on such articals as cushions or hankerchiefs, printed or otherwise impressed on boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard; or used as a costume or athletic uniform. Advertising signs should not be fastened to its staff or halyard. The flag should never be used as drapery of any sort, never festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red always arranged with the blue above and the white in the middle, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of a platform, and for decoration in general. An Act of Congress approved Feb. 8, 1917, provided certain penalties for the desecration, mutilation or improper use of the flag within the District of Columbia. A 1968 federal law provided penalties of up to a year's imprisonment or a $1,000 fine or both for publicly burning or otherwise desecrating any flag of the United States. In addition, many states have laws against flag desecration.