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Sec. 1. Flag; stripes and stars on
The flag of the United States shall be thirteen horizontal
stripes, alternate red and white; and the union of the flag shall
be forty-eight stars, white in a blue field.
(July 30, 1947, ch. 389, 61 Stat. 642.)
-EXEC-
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10798
Ex. Ord. No. 10798, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 79, which prescribed
proportions and sizes of flags until July 4, 1960, was revoked by
section 33 of Ex. Ord. No. 10834, set out as a note under this
section.
EX. ORD. NO. 10834. PROPORTIONS AND SIZES OF FLAGS AND POSITION OF
STARS
Ex. Ord. No. 10834, Aug. 21, 1959, 24 F.R. 6865, provided:
WHEREAS the State of Hawaii has this day been admitted into the
Union; and
WHEREAS section 2 of title 4 of the United States Code provides
as follows: ''On the admission of a new State into the Union one
star shall be added to the union of the flag; and such addition
shall take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding
such admission.''; and
WHEREAS the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of
1949 (63 Stat. 377), as amended (see Short Title note under section
471 of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works) authorizes
the President to prescribe policies and directives governing the
procurement and utilization of property by executive agencies; and
WHEREAS the interests of the Government require that orderly and
reasonable provision be made for various matters pertaining to the
flag and that appropriate regulations governing the procurement and
utilization of national flags and union jacks by executive agencies
be prescribed:
NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as
President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the
armed forces of the United States, and the Federal Property and
Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended (see Short Title
note under section 471 of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and
Works), it is hereby ordered as follows:
PART I - DESIGN OF THE FLAG
Section 1. The flag of the United States shall have thirteen
horizontal stripes, alternate red and white, and a union consisting
of white stars on a field of blue.
Sec. 2. The positions of the stars in the union of the flag and
in the union jack shall be as indicated on the attachment to this
order, which is hereby made a part of this order.
Sec. 3. The dimensions of the constituent parts of the flag shall
conform to the proportions set forth in the attachment referred to
in section 2 of this order.
PART II - REGULATIONS GOVERNING EXECUTIVE AGENCIES
Sec. 21. The following sizes of flags are authorized for
executive agencies:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dimensions of Flag
Size Hoist (width) Fly (length)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Feet Feet
(1) 20.00 38.00
(2) 10.00 19.00
(3) 8.95 17.00
(4) 7.00 11.00
(5) 5.00 9.50
(6) 4.33 5.50
(7) 3.50 6.65
(8) 3.00 4.00
(9) 3.00 5.70
(10) 2.37 4.50
(11) 1.32 2.50
-------------------------------
Sec. 22. Flags manufactured or purchased for the use of executive
agencies:
(a) Shall conform to the provisions of Part I of this order,
except as may be otherwise authorized pursuant to the provisions of
section 24, or except as otherwise authorized by the provisions of
section 21, of this order.
(b) Shall conform to the provisions of section 21 of this order,
except as may be otherwise authorized pursuant to the provisions of
section 24 of this order.
Sec. 23. The exterior dimensions of each union jack manufactured
or purchased for executive agencies shall equal the respective
exterior dimensions of the union of a flag of a size authorized by
or pursuant to this order. The size of the union jack flown with
the national flag shall be the same as the size of the union of
that national flag.
Sec. 24. (a) The Secretary of Defense in respect of procurement
for the Department of Defense (including military colors) and the
Administrator of General Services in respect of procurement for
executive agencies other than the Department of Defense may, for
cause which the Secretary or the Administrator, as the case may be,
deems sufficient, make necessary minor adjustments in one or more
of the dimensions or proportionate dimensions prescribed by this
order, or authorize proportions or sizes other than those
prescribed by section 3 or section 21 of this order.
(b) So far as practicable, (1) the actions of the Secretary of
Defense under the provisions of section 24(a) of this order, as
they relate to the various organizational elements of the
Department of Defense, shall be coordinated, and (2) the Secretary
and the Administrator shall mutually coordinate their actions under
that section.
Sec. 25. Subject to such limited exceptions as the Secretary of
Defense in respect of the Department of Defense, and the
Administrator of General Services in respect of executive agencies
other than the Department of Defense, may approve, all national
flags and union jacks now in the possession of executive agencies,
or hereafter acquired by executive agencies under contracts awarded
prior to the date of this order, including those so possessed or so
acquired by the General Services Administration, for distribution
to other agencies, shall be utilized until unserviceable.
PART III - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 31. The flag prescribed by Executive Order No. 10798 of
January 3, 1959, shall be the official flag of the United States
until July 4, 1960, and on that date the flag prescribed by Part I
of this order shall become the official flag of the United States;
but this section shall neither derogate from section 24 or section
25 of this order nor preclude the procurement, for executive
agencies, of flags provided for by or pursuant to this order at any
time after the date of this order.
Sec. 32. As used in this order, the term ''executive agencies''
means the executive departments and independent establishments in
the executive branch of the Government, including wholly-owned
Government corporations.
Sec. 33. Executive Order No. 10798 of January 3, 1959, is hereby
revoked. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
*** ILLUSTRATIONS OR TABLE DATA OMITTED ***
--------------------------------------
Standard proportions
Hoist (width) of flag 1.0 A
Fly (length) of flag 1.9 B
Hoist (width) of Union 0.5385(7/13) C
Fly (length) of Union 0.76 D
0.054 E
0.054 F
0.063 G
0.063 H
Diameter of star 0.0616 K
Width of stripe 0.0769(1/13) L
--------------------------------------
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 5 of this title.
-CITE-
4 USC Sec. 2 01/23/00
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG
-HEAD-
Sec. 2. Same; additional stars
-STATUTE-
On the admission of a new State into the Union one star shall be
added to the union of the flag; and such addition shall take effect
on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission.
-SOURCE-
(July 30, 1947, ch. 389, 61 Stat. 642.)
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 5 of this title.
-CITE-
4 USC Sec. 3 01/23/00
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG
-HEAD-
Sec. 3. Use of flag for advertising purposes; mutilation of flag
-STATUTE-
Any person who, within the District of Columbia, in any manner,
for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed any
word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement
of any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the
United States of America; or shall expose or cause to be exposed to
public view any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign upon which
shall have been printed, painted, or otherwise placed, or to which
shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed any word, figure,
mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any
nature; or who, within the District of Columbia, shall manufacture,
sell, expose for sale, or to public view, or give away or have in
possession for sale, or to be given away or for use for any
purpose, any article or substance being an article of merchandise,
or a receptacle for merchandise or article or thing for carrying or
transporting merchandise, upon which shall have been printed,
painted, attached, or otherwise placed a representation of any such
flag, standard, colors, or ensign, to advertise, call attention to,
decorate, mark, or distinguish the article or substance on which so
placed shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be
punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not
more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
The words ''flag, standard, colors, or ensign'', as used herein,
shall include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or
representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made
of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size
evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors,
or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a
representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the
stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any
part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the
same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the
flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America.
-SOURCE-
(July 30, 1947, ch. 389, 61 Stat. 642; Pub. L. 90-381, Sec. 3, July
5, 1968, 82 Stat. 291.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1968 - Pub. L. 90-381 struck out ''; or who, within the District
of Columbia, shall publicly mutilate, deface, defile or defy,
trample upon, or cast contempt, either by word or act, upon any
such flag, standard, colors, or ensign,'' after ''substance on
which so placed''.
-CROSS-
CROSS REFERENCES
Penalty for desecration of the flag, see section 700 of Title 18,
Crimes and Criminal Procedure.
Police uniforms to display U.S. flag emblem or colors, see
section 210a of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works.
-CITE-
4 USC Sec. 4 01/23/00
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG
-HEAD-
Sec. 4. Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery
-STATUTE-
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, ''I pledge allegiance to
the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for
which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.'', should be rendered by standing at attention
facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in
uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and
hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render
the military salute.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 105-225, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1494.)
-MISC1-
Historical and Revision Notes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at
Large)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
4 36:172. June 22, 1942, ch.
435, Sec. 7, 56
Stat. 380; Dec. 22,
1942, ch. 806, Sec.
7, 56 Stat. 1077;
Dec. 28, 1945, ch.
607, 59 Stat. 668;
June 14, 1954, ch.
297, 68 Stat. 249;
July 7, 1976, Pub.
L. 94-344, (19), 90
Stat. 813.
-------------------------------
-CITE-
4 USC Sec. 5 01/23/00
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG
-HEAD-
Sec. 5. Display and use of flag by civilians; codification of rules
and customs; definition
-STATUTE-
The following codification of existing rules and customs
pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States
of America is established for the use of such civilians or civilian
groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with
regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the
Government of the United States. The flag of the United States for
the purpose of this chapter shall be defined according to sections
1 and 2 of this title and Executive Order 10834 issued pursuant
thereto.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 105-225, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1494.)
-MISC1-
Historical and Revision Notes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at
Large)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
5 36:173. June 22, 1942, ch.
435, Sec. 1, 56
Stat. 377; Dec. 22,
1942, ch. 806, Sec.
1, 56 Stat. 1074;
July 7, 1976, Pub.
L. 94-344, (1), 90
Stat. 810.
-------------------------------
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Executive Order 10834, referred to in text, is set out as a note
under section 1 of this title.
-CITE-
4 USC Sec. 6 01/23/00
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG
-HEAD-
Sec. 6. Time and occasions for display
-STATUTE-
(a) 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 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours
of darkness.
(b) The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
(c) The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is
inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.
(d) The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on 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; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the
President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of
admission); and on State holidays.
(e) The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main
administration building of every public institution.
(f) The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place
on election days.
(g) The flag should be displayed during school days in or near
every schoolhouse.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 105-225, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1494.)
-MISC1-
Historical and Revision Notes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at
Large)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
6 36:174. June 22, 1942, ch.
435, Sec. 2, 56
Stat. 378; Dec. 22,
1942, ch. 806, Sec.
2, 56 Stat. 1074;
July 7, 1976, Pub.
L. 94-344, (2)-(5),
90 Stat. 810.
-------------------------------
In subsection (d), the words ''Veterans Day'' are substituted for
''Armistice Day'' because of the Act of June 1, 1954 (ch. 250, 68
Stat. 168).
-CITE-
4 USC Sec. 7 01/23/00
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG
-HEAD-
Sec. 7. Position and manner of display
-STATUTE-
The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or
flags, should be either 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.
(a) The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade
except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this
section.
(b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or
back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag
is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the
chassis or clamped to the right fender.
(c) 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, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during
church services for the personnel of the Navy. 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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. 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.
(g) 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.
(h) 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.
When the flag is 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.
(i) 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.
(j) When the flag is displayed 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.
(k) 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 to the right of the audience.
(l) The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of
unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never be used as the
covering for the statue or monument.
(m) 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 a 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. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the
death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day
of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired
Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of
Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive
or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of
a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the
following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at
half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also
Armed Forces Day. As used in this subsection -
(1) the term ''half-staff'' means the position of the flag when
it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the
staff;
(2) the term ''executive or military department'' means any
agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5, United
States Code; and
(3) the term ''Member of Congress'' means a Senator, a
Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from
Puerto Rico.
(n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so
placed that 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.
(o) When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a
building with only one main entrance, it should be suspended
vertically with the union of the flag to the observer's left upon
entering. If the building has more than one main entrance, the
flag should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor
or lobby with the union to the north, when entrances are to the
east and west or to the east when entrances are to the north and
south. If there are entrances in more than two directions, the
union should be to the east.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 105-225, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1495.)
-MISC1-
Historical and Revision Notes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at
Large)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
7 36:175. June 22, 1942, ch.
435, Sec. 3, 56
Stat. 378; Dec. 22,
1942, ch. 806, Sec.
3, 56 Stat. 1075;
July 9, 1953, ch.
183, 67 Stat. 142;
July 7, 1976, Pub.
L. 94-344, (6)-
(11), 90 Stat. 811;
Sept. 13, 1994,
Pub. L. 103-322,
title XXXII, Sec.
320922(b), 108
Stat. 2131.
-------------------------------
-EXEC-
PROC. NO. 3044. DISPLAY OF FLAG AT HALF-STAFF UPON DEATH OF CERTAIN
OFFICIALS AND FORMER OFFICIALS
Proc. No. 3044, Mar. 1, 1954, 19 F.R. 1235, as amended by Proc.
No. 3948, Dec. 12, 1969, 34 F.R. 19699, provided:
WHEREAS it is appropriate that the flag of the United States of
America be flown at half-staff on Federal buildings, grounds, and
facilities upon the death of principal officials and former
officials of the Government of the United States and the Governors
of the States, Territories, and possessions of the United States as
a mark of respect to their memory; and
WHEREAS it is desirable that rules be prescribed for the uniform
observance of this mark of respect by all executive departments and
agencies of the Government, and as a guide to the people of the
Nation generally on such occasions:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, President of the United
States of America and Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the
United States, do hereby prescribe and proclaim the following rules
with respect to the display of the flag of the United States of
America at half-staff upon the death of the officials hereinafter
designated:
1. The flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on
all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels of the Federal Government
in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and
its Territories and possessions for the period indicated upon the
death of any of the following-designated officials or former
officials of the United States:
(a) The President or a former President: for thirty days from the
day of death.
The flag shall also be flown at half-staff for such period at all
United States embassies, legations, and other facilities abroad,
including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
(b) The Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief
Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of
Representatives: for ten days from the day of death.
(c) An Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the
Cabinet, a former Vice President, the President pro tempore of the
Senate, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of
the Senate, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, or
the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives: from the day
of death until interment.
2. The flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on
all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels of the Federal Government
in the metropolitan area of the District of Columbia on the day of
death and on the following day upon the death of a United States
Senator, Representative, Territorial Delegate, or the Resident
Commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and it shall
also be flown at half-staff on all buildings, grounds, and naval
vessels of the Federal Government in the State, Congressional
District, Territory, or Commonwealth of such Senator,
Representative, Delegate, or Commissioner, respectively, from the
day of death until interment.
3. The flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on
all buildings and grounds of the Federal Government in a State,
Territory, or possession of the United States upon the death of the
Governor of such State, Territory, or possession from the day of
death until interment.
4. In the event of the death of other officials, former
officials, or foreign dignitaries, the flag of the United States
shall be displayed at half-staff in accordance with such orders or
instructions as may be issued by or at the direction of the
President, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices
not inconsistent with law.
5. The heads of the several departments and agencies of the
Government may direct that the flag of the United States be flown
at half-staff on buildings, grounds, or naval vessels under their
jurisdiction on occasions other than those specified herein which
they consider proper, and that suitable military honors be rendered
as appropriate.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
DONE at the City of Washington this 1st day of March in the year
of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the one
hundred and seventy-eighth.
(seal) Dwight D. Eisenhower.
-CITE-
4 USC Sec. 8 01/23/00
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG
-HEAD-
Sec. 8. Respect for flag
-STATUTE-
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of
America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.
Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional
flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) 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.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the
ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but
always aloft and free.
(d) The 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. Bunting of blue, white,
and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the
middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's
desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in
general.
(e) The 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.
(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
(g) The flag should never have 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.
(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving,
holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
(i) The 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 or 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.
(j) No part of the 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. The flag represents a living country and
is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin
being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
(k) 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.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 105-225, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1497.)
-MISC1-
Historical and Revision Notes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at
Large)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
8 36:176. June 22, 1942, ch.
435, Sec. 4, 56
Stat. 379; Dec. 22,
1942, ch. 806, Sec.
4, 56 Stat. 1076;
July 7, 1976, Pub.
L. 94-344, (12)-
(16), 90 Stat. 812.
-------------------------------
-CITE-
4 USC Sec. 9 01/23/00
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG
-HEAD-
Sec. 9. Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag
-STATUTE-
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the
flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present
except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention
with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform
should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should
remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the
left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand
at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be
rendered at the moment the flag passes.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 105-225, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1498.)
-MISC1-
Historical and Revision Notes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at
Large)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
9 36:177. June 22, 1942, ch.
435, Sec. 5, 56
Stat. 380; Dec. 22,
1942, ch. 806, Sec.
5, 56 Stat. 1077;
July 7, 1976, Pub.
L. 94-344, (17), 90
Stat. 812.
-------------------------------
-CITE-
4 USC Sec. 10 01/23/00
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG
-HEAD-
Sec. 10. Modification of rules and customs by President
-STATUTE-
Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the
United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered,
modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may
be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the
United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable;
and any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a
proclamation.
-SOURCE-
(Added Pub. L. 105-225, Sec. 2(a), Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1498.)
-MISC1-
Historical and Revision Notes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at
Large)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
10 36:178. June 22, 1942, ch.
435, Sec. 8, 56
Stat. 380; Dec. 22,
1942, ch. 806, Sec.
8, 56 Stat. 1077;
July 7, 1976, Pub.
L. 94-344, (20), 90
Stat. 813.
-------------------------------
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Herein, referred to in text, means sections 4 to 10 of this
title.
-EXEC-
PROC. NO. 2605. THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES
Proc. No. 2605, Feb. 18, 1944, 9 F.R. 1957, 58 Stat. 1126,
provided:
The flag of the United States of America is universally
representative of the principles of the justice, liberty, and
democracy enjoyed by the people of the United States; and
People all over the world recognize the flag of the United States
as symbolic of the United States; and
The effective prosecution of the war requires a proper
understanding by the people of other countries of the material
assistance being given by the Government of the United States:
NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the power vested in me by the
Constitution and laws of the United States, particularly by the
Joint Resolution approved June 22, 1942, as amended by the Joint
Resolution approved December 22, 1942 (now sections 4 to 10 of this
title), as President and Commander in Chief, it is hereby
proclaimed as follows:
1. The use of the flag of the United States or any representation
thereof, if approved by the Foreign Economic Administration, on
labels, packages, cartons, cases, or other containers for articles
or products of the United States intended for export as lend-lease
aid, as relief and rehabilitation aid, or as emergency supplies for
the Territories and possessions of the United States, or similar
purposes, shall be considered a proper use of the flag of the
United States and consistent with the honor and respect due to the
flag.
2. If any article or product so labelled, packaged or otherwise
bearing the flag of the United States or any representation
thereof, as provided for in section 1, should, by force of
circumstances, be diverted to the ordinary channels of domestic
trade, no person shall be considered as violating the rules and
customs pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States,
as set forth in the Joint Resolution approved June 22, 1942, as
amended by the Joint Resolution approved December 22, 1942 (U.S.C.,
Supp. II, title 36, secs. 171-178) (now sections 4 to 10 of this
title) for possessing, transporting, displaying, selling or
otherwise transferring any such article or product solely because
the label, package, carton, case, or other container bears the flag
of the United States or any representation thereof.
-CITE-