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Flag of the United States of America (view source)
Revision as of 21:52, August 23, 2007
, 21:52, August 23, 2007no edit summary
[[image:USflag.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The United States flag, being flown.]]
==History==
== Flag Code ==
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]].
== 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 (flag)|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, 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===
{{Image request|A picture of the US flag being flown on the same pole with other flags. Ideally, it would show the US flag below the UN flag and above other flags to illustrate all of the aspects of where to fly the flag.|thumb|right|}}
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 [[Flag desecration in the United States of America|misuse and abuse of the US flag]], and violation of this law is seldom prosecuted.
===Pledge of Allegiance===
{{image request|A picture of someone doffing their cap during the Pledge of Allegiance.|thumb|right|}}
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.
== Flag Discretion ==
== Flag Discretion ==
Flying an American flag upside down is not necessarily disrespectful. The practice has its origin in a military distress signal; displaying a flag in this manner is "a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property", it has been used by extension to make a statement about distress in civic, political, or other areas.
Flying an American flag upside down is not necessarily disrespectful. The practice has its origin in a military distress signal; displaying a flag in this manner is "a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property", it has been used by extension to make a statement about distress in civic, political, or other areas.
==External links==
*[http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title4/chapter1_.html The text of Title 4 of the United States Code, Chapter 1] hosted by the [[Government Printing Office]]'s GPO Access
*[http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html USHistory.org] on handling and treatment of the US Flag
[[Category: United States]]
[[Category: United States]]