The United States Flag Code

Flag Code & Etiquette

The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care for the flag of the United States. It is Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code. This is a U.S. federal law, but there is no penalty for failure to comply with it and it is not widely enforced indeed, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that punitive enforcement would conflict with the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

This etiquette is as applied within U.S. jurisdiction. In other countries and places, local etiquette applies.

• New Year's Day, January 1
• Inaugural Day, January 20
• Lincoln's Birthday, February 12
• Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February
• Easter Sunday (variable)
• Mother's Day, second Sunday in May
• Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May
• Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May
• Flag Day, June 14
• Independence Day, July 4
• Labor Day, first Monday in September
• Constitution Day, September 17
• Columbus Day, second Monday in October
• Navy Day, October 27
• Veterans Day, November 11
• Christmas Day, December 25
• Birthdays of States (date of admission) and on State holidays.
• Any other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States

The Pledge of Allegiance

by Red Skelton