Flag Facts 

• The Stars & Stripes
• The Pledge of Allegiance
• The Flag Code
• Folding the Flag
• Caring for the Flag 

The Stars & Stripes

The current U.S. flag has fifty stars, representing the fifty U.S. states and thirteen stripes, representing the original thirteen colonies. When a new state joins the union, the corresponding new flag is first flown on the following Fourth of July.

The official colors of the flag are "Old Glory Red," white, and "Old Glory Blue." The pantone values are Red PMS 193C and Blue PMS 282C.

The blue quadrant of the flag is referred to as the "canton"-- this term is not specific to the American flag, but applies to the upper staff-side corner of any flag with such a division.

The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.
- The Pledge of Allegiance (1954 - present)

The current Pledge of Allegiance (above) has undergone several minor revisions since it first appeared in print in 1892 in a Boston youth magazine as follows:

I pledge allegiance to my Flag,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.
- The Pledge of Allegiance (1892-1923)

In 1923 the words "my Flag" were changed to "the Flag of the United States," then to "the Flag of the United States of America" in 1924. In 1954 the words "under God," were added, bringing the pledge to its current form.

During the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance stand at attention, facing the flag, with your right hand over your heart. If a man is wearing a hat or headdress, he should remove it, and hold it in his right hand to his left shoulder. Uniformed persons (military, police, scouts, etc.) should remain silent and render the appropriate salute.

The Flag Code

The United States Code dictates how the U.S. flag should be treated and displayed. Certain parts of the code were re-organized in 1998; parts of the section formerly known as Title 36, Chapter 10 have been moved to Title 4 or elsewhere in Title 36. If you are wondering where a particular section went, try searching the Cornell Legal Information Institute's site. The Flag Code has been generally consolidated in Title 4, Chapter 1.

Below are excerpts of the important points on respectfully displaying, and displaying respect toward, the U.S. Flag:

• The flag should be flown only during daylight hours; however, it may be flown at night if properly illuminated.
• The flag should be hoisted (raised) quickly and lowered ceremoniously.
• When flying with other flags, the U.S. flag should be to the observer's left and above or at equal height to the other flags.
• When flying with the flags of other nations, the U.S. flag should be flown at the same height as the other flag(s.)
• The U.S. flag should not be used for advertisement; it should not be marked with any words, images or other printings.
• The flag should not be flown in rain or snow, unless an all-weather flag is used.
• On occasions when the flag is to be flown at half-staff, the flag should first be raised to the top of the staff, then lowered to the half height position.
• The flag should not be dipped to anyone or anything.
• The flag should not be hung so that it touches the ground, or any object beneath it.
• The flag should not be used as a container or receptacle.

Folding the Flag

The traditional way to fold the American flag requires two people. Start with one person at each end holding the flag at waist-height. In the illustrations below, the view is from above, with the flag parallel to the ground.
Begin by folding the flag's lower portion over the upper portion, covering the canton (field of stars).
Repeat this fold, so that the canton is now on top.
Next, the person holding the stripes makes a triangular fold over the top of the flag.
This fold is repeated, each time folding over the top of the flag.
When finished, the flag should be a neat triangle showing the stars.
If you are folding a flag by yourself, lay the flag out on a clean, dry surface and fold it as described above.

Caring For The Flag

The life span of a flag is greatly influenced by how it is treated. To maximize a flag's life span we recommend the following guidelines:

• High winds can be destructive to any flag. While nylon flags are better suited to windy conditions, do not fly any flag in winds over 50 mph.
• Make sure your flag is dry before folding and storing. Drip-dry only.
• Avoid exposing the flags to chemicals or chemical vapors, such as gasoline or petroleum products. If your flag needs cleaning, wash it by hand water. If necessary, use baby shampoo. Parade flags should be dry cleaned.
• When a flag has become worn or faded beyond restoration, dispose of it respectfully. The traditional method of destruction is by burning-- many American Legion or VFW posts will perform this service for you.