Changes

Since the stars reflect the number of states in the US, the flag has changed as the number of states has changed. Originally, the flag (as produced by [[Betsy Ross]]) contained thirteen stars arranged in a circle.  The current fifty stars are arranged in five rows of six stars alternating with four rows of five stars.

Since the stars reflect the number of states in the US, the flag has changed as the number of states has changed. Originally, the flag (as produced by [[Betsy Ross]]) contained thirteen stars arranged in a circle.  The current fifty stars are arranged in five rows of six stars alternating with four rows of five stars.

It is displayed at all [[federal]] buildings, and many homes and businesses also proudly display it.

It is displayed at all [[Federal]] buildings, and many homes and businesses also proudly display it.

== Flag Code ==

== Flag Code ==

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]].

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===

===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.

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====

====Defacement and Misuse of the Flag====

Section 3 is describes how the US flag should not be handled, misused, or defaced.

Section 3 is describes how the US flag should not be handled, misused, or defaced.

===Pledge of Allegiance===

===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.

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 desecration ==

== Flag desecration ==

   

   

The '''Flag of the United States''' has sometimes been used in symbolic defacement, often in protest of the policies of the [[America]]n [[U.S. government|government]], both within the country and abroad.

The '''Flag of the United States''' has sometimes been used in symbolic defacement, often in protest of the policies of the [[United States Government]], both within the country and abroad.

In 1862, during the Union army's occupation of New Orleans in the American Civil War, the military governor, Benjamin Franklin Butler, sentenced William B. Mumford to death for removing an American flag. Today, defacing a flag is an act of protected speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as established in [[Texas v. Johnson]], 491 U.S. 397 (1989), and reaffirmed in [[U.S. v. Eichman]], 496 U.S. 310 (1990).

In 1862, during the Union army's occupation of New Orleans in the American Civil War, the military governor, Benjamin Franklin Butler, sentenced William B. Mumford to death for removing an American flag. Today, defacing a flag is an act of protected speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as established in [[Texas v. Johnson]], 491 U.S. 397 (1989), and reaffirmed in [[U.S. v. Eichman]], 496 U.S. 310 (1990).

[[Category:United States]]

[[Category:United States of America]]

[[Category: National Flags]]