Difference between revisions of "United States Flag Code"
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While the bulk of the code is purely descriptive, violating section 3 within the [[District of Columbia]] carries a penalty of "a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court." There is much controversy concerning [[Flag desecration in the United States of America|misuse and abuse of the US flag]], and violation of this law is seldom prosecuted. | While the bulk of the code is purely descriptive, violating section 3 within the [[District of Columbia]] carries a penalty of "a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court." There is much controversy concerning [[Flag desecration in the United States of America|misuse and abuse of the US flag]], and violation of this law is seldom prosecuted. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Other restrictions==== | ||
| + | The code also stipulates: | ||
| + | *Section g: *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. | ||
| + | *Section i: The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. | ||
===Pledge of Allegiance=== | ===Pledge of Allegiance=== | ||
Revision as of 15:09, July 13, 2008
The United States Flag Code (title 4, chapter 1 of the United States Code) is a law which describes the official appearance of the Flag of the United States and how it should be handled. The US Flag Code is purely descriptive, and does not include any provisions for enforcement outside of the District of Columbia.
In addition, the US Flag Code codifies the Pledge of Allegiance.
Contents
The Code's rules and standards
Appearance of the flag
Section one and two describe the official appearance of the US flag. Section one of the Code describes the flag as "thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white," with a union of "forty-eight stars, white in a blue field." The code, which was passed before the 1959 incorporation of Alaska and Hawaii as the 49th and 50th states[Citation Needed], also makes provisions for updating the flag in section two, adding new stars for new states on the following fourth of July.
Handling the flag
Section three describes how not to handle the flag, and sections five through nine describe how to handle, display, store, and respect the flag.
Defacement and misuse of the flag
Section 3 is describes how the US flag should not be handled, misused, or defaced.
While the bulk of the code is purely descriptive, violating section 3 within the District of Columbia carries a penalty of "a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court." There is much controversy concerning misuse and abuse of the US flag, and violation of this law is seldom prosecuted.
Other restrictions
The code also stipulates:
- Section g: *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.
- Section i: The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.
Pledge of Allegiance
Section four describes the Pledge of Allegiance, both codifying its text and describing proper conduct during the Pledge of Allegiance. People in military uniform should silently salute the flag, while other people should remove any non-religious headgear, and face the flag with their right hand over their heart.
History
External links
- The text of Title 4 of the United States Code, Chapter 1 hosted by the Government Printing Office's GPO Access
- USHistory.org on handling and treatment of the US Flag
