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
twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
- When displayed with 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.
No other flag or pennant should be placed above, or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United Stated of America,
except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, for personnel of the U.S. Navy, when the church pennant may be
flown above the flag.
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 Territory
or possession thereof; Provided, that nothing in this section shall make unlawful or 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
CHURCHES AND AUDITORIUMS
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 the right of the audience.
HALF-STAFF
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 should be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the
Governor of the 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.
Excerpts from The Flag Code of the United States - Public Law 94-344,
July 7, 1976.
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