what to do when american flag touches ground
Testify your national pride on Memorial Day by displaying the flag -- but be sure to consult the flag lawmaking before you exercise.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The flag is one of our country'due south near important symbols, so we should treat it with respect
- 1923: the National Flag Code created advisory rules for displaying the flag
- The rules are only that: advisory. At that place is no penalty for breaking the flag code
(MentalFloss.com) -- On Memorial Day, we thought it might exist a expert time to have a wait at some of the rules for respectfully displaying the American flag, every bit dictated by the The states Flag Code.
When did these flag rules fall into identify?
Surprisingly late in American history. On Flag 24-hour interval in 1923, a group of organizations headed past the American Legion outlined the National Flag Code every bit a set of advisory rules for displaying the flag. These rules became law during World State of war Two and class the bulk of what'due south now the United States Flag Code.
These rules comprehend all manner of extremely specific situations, but they're all governed by the aforementioned basic principle: the flag is one of the most visible and important symbols of our country, and so we should treat it with respect.
Are you really supposed to lower the flag at dusk?
Yous don't have to. While the flag code notes that displaying the flag only from sunrise to sunset is "universal custom," information technology makes an exception. "However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness."
When should the flag exist displayed?
Section six of the flag lawmaking states, "The flag should be displayed on all days." However, the code goes on to say that the flag should specially (emphasis added) be displayed on the post-obit days: New year'due south Day, Inauguration Day, Martin Luther Male monarch, Jr. Solar day, Lincoln'due south altogether, Washington'southward altogether, Easter, Mother's Twenty-four hours, Military Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Male parent's Day, Independence Twenty-four hour period, National Korean State of war Veterans Armistice Day, Labor Day, Constitution Day, Columbus Day, Navy Twenty-four hour period, Veterans Solar day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, state holidays, states' dates of admission, and "such other days every bit may be proclaimed by the President of the U.s.."
Where should the flag exist displayed?
Section 6 of the flag code covers this question, too. The flag should be displayed in or near every schoolhouse on school days, on or near the principal assistants building of every public institution each day, and in or near every polling place on election days.
Why doesn't, say, the Dream Team take the courts in American-flag jerseys at the Olympics?
The flag code thought of that one, too. Section 8 of the code covers "Respect for the Flag," and it explicitly states, "No part of the flag should ever be used every bit a costume or athletic uniform. Still, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations."
Mental Floss: Why do we sing the National Anthem at sporting events?
Any other restrictions on wearing the flag?
Section eight also states, "The flag should never be used as wearing clothes, bedding, or drapery."
What about those American flag lapel pins that so many folks wear?
The flag lawmaking thought of that ane, too. Section eight rather elegantly states, "The flag represents a living state 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."
Is it truthful you have to retire and burn down a flag that touches the ground?
No, that'due south a myth. The flag code is quite a bit more realistic about this situation. While the code states, "The flag should never touch annihilation beneath it, such as the ground, the flooring, water, or merchandise," in that location's no rule saying that a flag that slips has to immediately be burned.
Instead, the lawmaking stipulates, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a plumbing fixtures emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably past called-for." Unless hitting the footing one time renders the flag unfit for display, there's no need to burn down it.
When is it acceptable to wing the flag upside down?
The flag code allows for flying the flag with the matrimony (the blue field of stars) down only "as a bespeak of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."
We know that the American flag is supposed to be displayed in a position of prominence over other flags on American soil. Are at that place whatever exceptions to this rule?
Section 7 of the flag code provides one major exception: the flag of the United Nations can be flown in the position of accolade or prominence at the U.Due north. headquarters in New York.
The only other exception involves church building services performed by naval chaplains while at bounding main. In these instances, the church's flag may fly above the American flag during the service.
Mental Floss: Videos: Dogs welcoming dwelling house soldiers
What's the penalty for breaking the flag code?
There isn't one. The flag code is an odd duck in this regard. As role of the United states Code, the flag code is technically federal law. However, the lawmaking doesn't outline whatever measures for enforcement or penalization. Basically, the flag code is a set of advisory rules for Americans who want to know the proper and respectful way to display their flag.
Fifty-fifty if the flag code did provide measures for its enforcement, it's not articulate that the measures would exist constitutional. Private states used to accept their own prohibitions on and penalties for desecrating the flag, but the 1989 Supreme Court decision Texas five. Johnson invalidated these laws as infringements on free speech. Congress responded by passing the Flag Protection Deed, which made flag desecration a federal crime. The Supreme Court struck down this law in the 1990 case Usa five. Eichman.
Tin anyone stop me from displaying the flag?
In 2006 the Freedom to Brandish the American Flag Act of 2005 officially became law. This constabulary basically says that no condo board, housing co-op, or residential real estate management group can restrict a person's right to display the American flag on their ain residential property as long as the display jibes with federal police force and is reasonable.
What days is the flag always flown at one-half-staff?
The flag always flies on half-staff on Patriot Day (September 11 of each year), Peace Officers Memorial Twenty-four hour period (May fifteen), and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Twenty-four hours (December seven). On Memorial Twenty-four hours, the flag flies at one-half-staff until noon, at which indicate information technology is raised to the peak of the staff.
What if I can't fly my flag at half-staff?
Some flags, like the ones commonly seen in school classrooms or on houses, are fixed in a certain position on their poles. How does ane handle the sticky situation of a flag that physically can't exist flown at half-staff? The United States Code doesn't cover this conundrum, but the American Legion advocates adding a black ribbon to the elevation of the flag'south pole to bespeak mourning.
Mental Floss: Why is the flag flown at half-staff in times of mourning?
What about adding new stars for new states?
Should nosotros ever pick upwards a 51st state, Section 2 of the flag lawmaking stipulates that the state volition go a new star on the flag. It won't be an overnight procedure, though. The new star will make its debut on the beginning Fourth of July following the state'southward formal admission into the union.
For more mental_floss articles, visit mentalfloss.com
Entire contents of this commodity copyright, Mental Floss LLC. All rights reserved.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/05/30/fly.american.flag.mf/index.html#:~:text=Instead%2C%20the%20code%20stipulates%2C%20%22,no%20need%20to%20burn%20it.
0 Response to "what to do when american flag touches ground"
Post a Comment