5 Rules for Displaying the U.S. Flag at Your Business

June 14 is Flag Day, the holiday designated by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 to honor the adoption of the American Flag on June 14, 1777. This makes it a great day to fly an American flag at your business (though some businesses even choose to fly an American flag every day; Woodrow Wilson would approve).

However, what some business owners may not know is that there are exact rules for how and when the American flag can be flown.

Here are five rules that should be followed when displaying an American flag at your business:

1. Using a flag pole. There are several rules for flying the flag on a flagpole. If flown in a group of flags with state, local or group flags, the U.S. flag should always be the highest, and should be raised first and lowered last. If flown with the flag of another nation, the flags should never be flown on the same pole, and the flags should be of even height, with the U.S. always to it's own right (the viewer's left).
2. Window flag displays. If displayed in a window, the flag may be placed vertically or horizontally, but always with the Union (the stars representing the states) on the viewer's upper left.
3. Using the flag in advertising. The flag code is pretty unequivocal about using the flag for advertising purposes: "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard."
4. The flag at night. Contrary to what you might have heard, you can fly your flag at night. However, it must be illuminated. Also, the flag should be removed during inclement weather, unless it is an all-weather flag, which according to the the American Flag Foundation means the flag is made of nylon, or other non-absorbent material.
5. From a car. If displayed from a car, a flag should be flown from a staff and not draped. The staff should also be affixed to the chassis or attached to the fender on the car's right side.

Though the Flag Code is merely advisory (meaning you won't get put in jail for violating it), Flag Day is a great day to remember what the flag represents and treat it with the dignity and respect it deserves.

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Related Resources:

• Flag Display FAQ (The American Legion)
• For Flag Day, 5 Laws You May Not Know (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
• Legal to Force Employees to Work Holidays? (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
• Have to Pay Overtime on Federal Holidays? (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)