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Flag Etiquette: When, Where and How to display the American Flag for Memorial Day (2026 hits)

HBCU Members: How well do you know flag etiquette? Follow this guide from Nationwide to ensure you’re accurately displaying the American flag.

The cardinal rule about displaying the American flag is to do it respectfully.

In 1924, a committee of Army and Navy representatives met with other nation groups to work out a code of flag etiquette, establishing a set of rules for displaying Old Glory.

The code, was approved by the committee on what became Flag Day, June 14.

Congress approved the U.S. Flag Code in 1942, establishing an official etiquette for the handling and display of the U.S. Flag.

The essential rules for displaying the flag include:

Don’t let the sun set on a flying flag. Flags can be displayed 24 hours a day, however, if they are illuminated in the dark.
When multiple flags are displayed on a single pole or lanyard, as with state or municipal flags, the U.S. flag should always be on top.
When flags are flown in a row, the American flag should always be on the observer’s far left.
When displayed during a parade with other flags, the American flag should always be to the observer’s left. The flag carrier should hold the flag to his or her right side.
... and MORE!

For more flag flying tip to observe during Memorial Day, go to https://bit.ly/2GPmVLQ