Flag Etiquette
What are the special occasions for flying the American Flag?
- By Order of the President of the United States
- By Order of the Governor of Your State
- Special Occasions Determined by Congress
- New Year's Day
- Inauguration Day
- Lincoln's Birthday
- Washington's Birthday
- Easter Sunday
- Mother's Day
- Memorial Day (half-staff until noon)
- Flag Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Constitution Day
- Columbus Day
- Navy Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
When is the American Flag flown at half staff or until noon?
- Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff all day)
- Memorial Day (half-staff until noon)
- Patriot Day/September 11 (half staff all day)
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half staff all day)
When the flag of the United States is displayed at half-staff, it is first hoisted to the top of the staff for an instant, then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should again be raised to the top of the staff before it is lowered for the day.
An easy way to remember when to fly the United States flag at half-staff is to consider when the whole nation is in mourning. These periods of mourning are proclaimed either by the president of the United States, for national remembrance, or the governor of a state or territory, for local remembrance, in the event of a death of a member or former member of the federal, state or territorial government or judiciary. The heads of departments and agencies of the federal government may also order that the flag be flown at half staff on buildings, grounds and naval vessels under their jurisdiction.
An easy way to remember when to fly the United States flag at half-staff is to consider when the whole nation is in mourning. These periods of mourning are proclaimed either by the president of the United States, for national remembrance, or the governor of a state or territory, for local remembrance, in the event of a death of a member or former member of the federal, state or territorial government or judiciary. The heads of departments and agencies of the federal government may also order that the flag be flown at half staff on buildings, grounds and naval vessels under their jurisdiction.
Some rules for displaying the American flag include:
- DON'T: Use as bedding, drapery, or wearing apparel.
- DON'T: Display upside down, except as a signal of distress.
- DON'T: Let the flag touch the ground or any surface beneath it.
- DO: Make sure the the blue field is on the observer's upper left side.
- DO: On a car, make sure the blue field is always forward.
- DO: Over a street, blue field faces north or east.
- DO: Raise and lower the flag by hand, and never raised furled.
- DO: Hoist the flag briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
- DO: Per Federal Flag Code §(2)(a), 24-hour flag displays must be well lit.
What is the right way to fold the American Flag?
