“The flag of the United States of America is universally representative of the principles of the justice, liberty, and democracy enjoyed by the people of the United States; and people all over the world recognize the flag of the United States as symbolic of the United States . . .”
(Proc. No. 2605. The Flag of the United States)
Unique in the world, the people of the United States love and revere their flag. Symbolic of our freedoms, our history, our ideals and our unity, we don’t need a special event to fly the flag. Although, we’ve set aside certain days for special observation anyway. Including Flag Day itself, celebrated every year on June 14th, the date in 1777 that the Second Continental Congress adopted the Flag of the United States of America.
In honor our Flag and all that it represents, here are some interesting facts about Flag Day and the United States Flag Code:
The colors carry meaning
- Red: valor and bravery
- White: purity and innocence
- Blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice
National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. Title 36 of the United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, CHAPTER 1, § 110 is the official statute on Flag Day.
The flag should be displayed on all days, but especially on:
- New Year’s Day, January 1
- Inauguration Day, January 20
- Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, third Monday in January
- Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12
- Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February
- National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29
- 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
- Father’s Day, third Sunday in June
- Independence Day, July 4
- National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27
- Labor Day, first Monday in September
- Constitution Day, September 17
- Columbus Day, second Monday in October
- Navy Day, October 27
- Veterans Day, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November
- Christmas Day, December 25
- The birthdays of States (date of admission)
- State holidays
- Such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States
National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. Title 36 of the United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, CHAPTER 1, § 110 is the official statute on Flag Day
When a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
Our freedom to display the flag is protected by the ‘Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005’.
The flag should never be displayed with the union (blue field of stars) down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
On the admission of a new State into the Union one star shall be added to the union of the flag; and such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July after such admission.
The last change to the flag was July 4th 1960, when two stars were added to signify the admission of the states of Alaska and Hawaii into the union.
The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
For more information, visit uscode.house.gov.