American Flag Etiquette -
General
Display
It is the universal custom
to display the American 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.

1. When displayed either 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 American 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 States of America, except during
church services conducted by naval chaplains at
sea...for personnel of the Navy...when the
church pennant may be flown above the flag.
No person shall display the flag of the United
Nations of any other national of 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 any Territory of possession
thereof; provided, that nothing in this section
shall make unlawful the continuance of the
practice heretofore followed of displaying the
flag of the United Nations in a positions of
equal prominence of 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.

2. 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.

3. When the flags are flown from adjacent
staffs, the American flag should be jousted
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 left.

4. The American flag, 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.

5. The American flag 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.

6. When flags of two of 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.

7.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 of speaker's right as he faces
the audience. Any other flag so displayed should
be placed on the left of the clergyman or
speaker of 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
American 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 shall
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 of
foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed
at half-staff according to presidential
instructions of orders, or in accordance with
recognized customs 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.
Flags flown on poles affixed to a home or
building are not to be flown at half staff but a
memorial
streamer may be affixed to the top of the
flagpole.
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