THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Care & Respect

Flag Facts

Flag Holidays

Displaying the Flag

Formal Occasions

Folding the Flag

Flying at Half-Staff

The U.S. Flag, adopted on June 14, 1777, is the fourth oldest national flag in the world. Denmark's flag, adopted in 1219, is the oldest.

• A flag expert is called a "vexillologist."
• The blue field on the U.S. Flag is called the "union."
• On Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), to honor all who died in battle, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff for the remainder of the day.
• Since 1834, the U.S. Flag has flown continuously next to the grave of the Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette, near Paris, France.
• June 14 was proclaimed Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. While Flag Day was a popular celebration in scores of communities for many years after Wilson's proclamation, it didn't receive its official Congressional designation until 1949.

NATIONAL ANTHEM
The "Star Spangled Banner" was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key and declared the national anthem in 1931. When the anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand and face the flag to show their respect for the United States. A non-uniformed person wearing a hat should remove it with the right hand and hold it against the left shoulder, right hand resting over the heart. Those in uniform should stand at attention and salute the flag. (Note: If the flag is not displayed, face the music instead.)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Whenever the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, all non-uniformed persons should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag and render the military salute.