Stars & Stripes: An American Story
Flag Etiquette Fact Sheet
A section of the Stars & Stripes: An American Story exhibition examines the etiquette
pertaining to the American flag, including displaying, folding, cleaning, and disposing of the flag.
The U.S. flag code, first adopted in 1923 and later amended, prescribes flag etiquette for a
variety of circumstances to ensure our national symbol is treated properly. The flag code does
not contain any penalties or enforcement provisions for non-compliance. Quite simply, it is a
guide for civilians and groups who wish to honor the principal emblem of the U.S.
The following are notable excerpts from the U.S. flag code:
Flag as Clothing and Drapery
The American flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should
never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always be allowed to fall free. Bunting of
blue, white, and red – always arranged in that order – should be used for covering a speaker’s
desk, draping the front of the platform, and for general decoration.
Writing on Flags
The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark,
insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
Worn on the Lapel
When the flag is displayed as a lapel pin, it should be
worn on the left lapel - near the heart (see President
Barack Obama at left).
Multiple Flags, One Pole
When several flags are flown from the same flag pole, the
U.S. Flag should always be at the top. Flags of sovereign
nations should not be flown on the same pole as the U.S.
flag but from separate poles. The United Nations
Headquarters in New York City, where the U.N. Flag
holds the most prominent position, is the only U.S.
location exempted from this provision. The proper order of
precedence for flags is national, state, military (in order of
branch’s creation date), and then any other.
-more-
Flag Illumination
If displayed at night, the flag must be properly illuminated, which means the stars and stripes
can be seen readily from a reasonable distance. Flags on poles require a dedicated light. Flags
on a residential porch may require only ambient lighting, such as a porch or street light.
Cleaning the U.S. Flag
The flag may be laundered or dry cleaned as appropriate for the fabric.
Folding the Flag
To properly fold the U.S. flag, follow these steps:
1. Two people face each other, each holding one end of the flag. Stretch the flag
horizontally at waist height and fold in half lengthwise.
2. Fold the flag in half lengthwise again; the union (stars) should be on the top.
3. One person holds the flag by the union while the other starts making triangular folds at
the opposite end.
4. Continue to fold the flag in triangles from the stripes end until only the blue field with
stars is showing.
Flag Retirement
The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be
destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. In many communities, organizations such as
the Boy Scouts of America collect and oversee the proper disposal of old, worn, tattered, frayed,
and faded U.S. flags.
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