Happy Birthday Old Glory! Today, June 14th is Flag Day in the United States of America. On this day in 1777 the Continental Congress officially declared the “Stars and Stripes” the National symbol of the United States of America.
On June 14, 1885 a young teacher, Bernard John Cigrand, announced to his class that it was our flags birthday and asked them to write and essay on what the flag meant to them. The small one room school house in Waubeka, Wisconsin earned its place in history that day. In the years that followed Bernard John Cigrand dedicated himself to inspire not just his students but the nation to honor and ponder the true meaning and majesty of our flag.
Today is one of the holidays Americans display Old Glory with pride. But, do you know the proper flag etiquette?
It is not just a matter of pride that causes us to follow flag etiquette; there are laws in place that address when and how to display the American Flag.
Here are some of the basics:
- The American Flag when displayed in a window should have the blue field of stars in the upper left hand corner to the observer in the street. When the flag is hanging against a wall it should have the blue in the upper corner to the observers left.
- The American Flag when hung above a street should have the blue section in the upper north or east corner.
- The American Flag should always be given the position of authority over other domestic flags. However, international law demands that all national flags be given equal respect in times of peace.
- The American Flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
- The American Flag should be raised quickly at dawn and lowered ceremoniously at sun set. If you choose to leave the flag up 24 hours a day it must have designated illumination at night.
- The American Flag should not be flown in inclement weather. (Flags designed for all weather are the exception to this rule)
- The American Flag should not be used as a decoration. Bunting of red, white and blue are available for decorating. Bunting should always be displayed with the blue stripe on top.
- The American Flag should never have any mark, name, insignia, word, or the like on it or attached to it.
- The American Flag should be displayed upside down only as a distress signal.
- The American Flag should be kept clean and mended. It should never touch the ground.
Enjoy Flag Day! And, follow proper flag etiquette with pride.
Article courtesy Woodall’s Family Camping, RV Destination and Campground Blog, and written by Expert Blog Author, RA Manseau. To sign up to receive a daily email feed of content like this, click here!