U.S. flag history & display guidelines
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History of the United States flag
Flag display guidelines
How to fold the flag
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, the U.S.
flag should be front and center of a single file line, or to the flag’s right of a side-by-side line. If displayed on a parade float, the flag should be propped up so it flies freely and not draped over a vehicle.
In a procession of flags
Sources: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; Senate.gov; Lee Enterprises graphics
Did you know?
Never let the flag touch the ground or anything underneath it.
displayed from staffs, the U.S. flag should be at the center and the highest point.
In a group of flags
The U.S. flag should be illuminated if displayed at night and should be brought inside during inclement weather if it’s not made with all-weather materials.
If being displayed with another
flag with crossed staffs
Federal law states that
the American flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building.
If the flag is , it should hang free, with the union facing north or east, depending on the direction of the street.
not on a staff
Never display a flag
with the union down, except to signal distress in extreme instances of danger.
If the flag is
, the union (blue area with the stars) should be at the very top. Same as if the flag is hung from a rope from a building.
propped on a
building
Federal law states that
the American flag should be displayed near every polling place on election days and during school days in or near every schoolhouse.
When flags of states, cities or organizations are flown
, the U.S. flag must be at the top (except during church services conducted at sea by Navy chaplains).
on the same staff
When the flag is being raised or lowered, or when the flag passes by during a parade, Americans should place their right hand over their heart.
, the U.S. flag and staff should be in front and to the flag’s own right.
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STEP 1
Two people should hold the flag while it is folded. It should never touch the ground.
Fold the bottom of the flag up to meet the top edge.
Folded edge
Repeat, pulling the folded edge over.
Folded edge
STEP 2
Make a trianglular fold, bringing the folded edge up to the open edge.
Folded edge
STEP 3
Continue making the trianglular folds to the edge of the flag.
Folded edge
FINISHING STEPS
Although family lore says Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, the story is a myth. What is known is that on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution stating that the flag should have 13 alternate red and white stripes and 13 white stars on a blue background representing the original 13 colonies.
1776-77
1795
Stars for Vermont and Kentucky are added to the flag as well as two stripes.
Five more states’ stars are added, and the stripes are reduced to 13, where it would stay to present day.
1818
1861
A star is added to the flag for Kansas bringing the total to 34. President Abraham Lincoln would not allow stars to be removed from the flag even though the South had seceded from the Union.
1889
1897
1912
President William Howard Taft signs an executive order that sets flag proportions and orientation of the stars.
Illinois, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota become first States to adopt flag desecration statutes. The laws outlawed marking the U.S. flag for commercial, political or other purposes, using the flag as form of advertising and publicly defiling the flag by words or physical act.
Flags are manufactured with the Dakotas as one star, since it was believed they would be combined. Some of these flags still exist, but it was never an official flag.
The first Confederate Flag is adopted in Montgomery, Alabama.
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1942
1932
1931
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A court case allows for “symbolic speech” to be protected by the First Amendment.
1943
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1949
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1960
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1969
1968
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All of the states have adopted flag desecration laws by this year.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt approves the Federal Flag Code which gives guidelines for properly displaying the flag.
U.S. Supreme Court rules that states students can’t be forced to salute the U.S. flag.
President Harry S. Truman signs bill creating Flag Day, which is observed June 14 every year.
The final star is placed on the flag for Hawaii, bringing the total to 50.
A flag burning to protest the Vietnam War prompts Congress to approve the first federal flag desecration law.
The Supreme Court holds that verbal remarks disparaging the flag were not illegal.
1970 to present
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The courts continue to refine flag desecration laws, including a 2006 law that prevents condominiums or residential real estate management associations from forbidding the flying of the U.S. flag.
Folding
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History
History of the United States flag
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History
Stars for Vermont and Kentucky are added to the flag as well as two stripes.
Five more states’ stars are added, and the stripes are reduced to 13, where it would stay to present day.
1795
1818
1861
1889
1897
Flags are manufactured with the Dakotas as one star, since it was believed they would be combined. Some of these flags still exist, but it was never an official flag.
1912
1931
1932
1942
1943
U.S. Supreme Court rules that states students can’t be forced to salute the U.S. flag.
1949
1960
The final star is placed on the flag for Hawaii, bringing the total to 50.
1968
A flag burning to protest the Vietnam War prompts Congress approves the first federal flag desecration law.
1969
to present
1970
propped on a
building