When
was Flag Day established as an annual national celebration?
Answer:In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson
issued a proclamation for a national celebration; but not until 1949 did
President Harry S. Truman officially recognize June 14 as Flag Day by signing
the National Flag Day Bill.
When
are stars added to the flag?
Answer:On
the 4th of July following the admission of the State to the Union
Answer:Since the US flag started with 13
stars and now we have 50 stars, it seems as though we may have had 37 official
flags.In fact, we have had only 26
official flags because in some years more than one state was admitted to the
Union.
What
do the colors (red, white and blue) mean in the American flag?
Answer:From
a technical perspective, there is no legal meaning to the colors used in our
flag.When Congress adopted the flag in
1777, it left no record as to the intended meaning of the colors.
Five
years later, Congress adopted the Great Seal of the United States.The colors red, white and blue are used
prominently in the Great Seal.The
resolution adopting the Seal indicated that (1) red is for hardiness and
courage, (2) white is for purity and innocence, and (3) blue is for vigilance,
perseverance and justice.
Was
there a “national flag” before the stars and stripes?
Answer:Yes,
it was called the Continental Colors or the Grand Union.It was used from 1775 until 1777.It was developed and used by General George
Washington when he was given responsibility for organizing the Continental
Army.It had British Union Jack in the
canton and the red and white stripes.The use of the British Union Jack was intended to show loyalty to the
King of England, while at the same time demonstrating the colonies discontent.Although it was not an “official” national
flag (because it was not formally adopted by any governing body), it was widely
used throughout the colonies and it recognized by historians and vexillologists
as the first national flag.
Why
do we lower the U.S. flag to half-staff or half-mast?
Answer:This
is to indicate that the flag “is in mourning”; it is a sign of mourning or
respect upon the death of nationally recognized individuals.
There
are at least 5 days each year that the U.S. flag should be lowered to
half-staff.What are they?
Who
has the authority to order the U.S. flag to be lowered to half-staff on
other days?
Answer:The
President of the United States.
Some
flags cannot be lowered to half-staff (e.g., a flag being displayed
flat against a wall or a flag/flagpole mounted on the front of a house
that has a pole too short to lower the flag to half-staff).In these cases, what is the
acceptable way to show that the flag “is in mourning”?
Answer:There
is a tradition not mentioned in the U.S. Code that provides for the use of a
black ribbon(s) or streamers as a sign of mourning.Black ribbons or streamers of an appropriate length should be
attached at the top of the pole just below the finial.For flags displayed against a wall, affix a
streamer at each end of the top edge of the flag.Never attach any streamer (or anything) directly on the flag.
Should
the flag be lighted when flown at night?
Answer:U.S.
Code Title 4 (the Flag Code) indicates that a flag may be flown at night if it
is properly illuminated.However, this
provision should be considered in light (no pun intended) of when the Code was
adopted (1924).Our perspectives and
many other factors that impact this provision have changed since then.
We suggest not interpreting
this provision to strictly.
The term “properly
illuminated” has not been defined.Is a
porch light or street light adequate (in 1924 there were not too many street or
porch lights being used)?
Would you rather demonstrate
your patriotism or never fly your flag because you cannot get home in time to
take it down before dark?
The key is to demonstrate
your respect for the flag and your patriotism.
How
can we avoid some inadvertent, but common types of disrespect for the
Flag?
Answer:Never
use the flag as wearing apparel, or as any type of covering or drapery; never
place anything on the flag - this includes any writing, drawing, insignia or
other marks; the flag should not be used as a receptacle, or for holding or
carrying anything.
We have seen people sitting
on the US flag in pictures, we have seen a beach towel that was a US flag, we
have seen a flag used as a table covering with various items placed on it.
When
was the Pledge of Allegiance first written?
Answer:In
1892, the Pledge of Allegiance was “inaugurated at the dedication of the
World’s Fairgrounds in Chicago; in 1942 it became a part of the Flag Code; in
1945, President Truman gave official status to the Pledge; in 1954, the words
“under God” were added.
Answer:In
general, flags of all nations should be flown at the same height (a flag of one
nation should not be flown above another) and be the same size.The US flag should be on the left, as viewed
from the observer’s position.
When
flying the US flag with flags of states, cities, or organizations, how
should the US flag be displayed?
Answer:The
US flag may be flown above the other flags (but this is not required).The other flags may be the same size or
smaller.The US flag should be on the
left, as viewed from the observer’s position or it may be in the center on a
higher pole.
