Why do people lower the flag at night?

According to the US Flag Code, all American flags should be displayed from sunrise to sunset every day. Lowering the flag at night is an ultimate sign of respect for Old Glory. You can keep your flag flying 24-hours if it is properly illuminated during all hours of darkness.

Do other countries fold their flags?

No. A number of countries do not even have a standard for the handling of their national flag. I have been in a number of countries as a military officer where the contingent lowering their flag merely stuffed it into a sleeve or bag, or crumpled it up in any fashion.

Why can’t flags touch the ground?

According to the U.S. Flag Code, the American flag should never touch the ground or anything else below it. If the American flag hangs so low on a flagpole that it touches the ground, it will likely accumulate dirt. And if it continues to touch the ground, it may sustain more severe damage in the form of torn fabric.

Can I fly my flag upside down?

The U.S. Flag Code states that the flag should never be displayed upside down, except to signal “dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”

Can you fly other flags with the American flag?

The American flag should be flown higher than lesser flags. If another flag is flown at the same level, it should be flown to the American flag’s left.

Why do Americans fold their flag into a triangle?

The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our veterans served in uniform. In the U.S. Armed Forces, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead.

Do you burn an American flag if it touches the ground?

Does the flag have to be destroyed if it touches the ground? Answer: However, you are not required to destroy the flag if it touches the ground. As long as the flag remains suitable for display, even if washing or dry-cleaning (which is an acceptable practice) is required, the flag may continue to be displayed.

Is it legal to fly the flag of a foreign country?

The United States of America recognizes the sovereignty of other nations, and respects that those nations are neither superior nor inferior to the United States, but are equals. Therefore, it is permissible to fly the flag of a foreign state within the borders of the United States, even the flags of our stated enemies.

Is the American flag allowed to be displayed with other flags?

The American Flag may be displayed with other flags as long as its display follows the rules specified by the Flag Code. These rules were set to make sure the American Flag is in a position of prominence over other flags.

Should we make it illegal to desecrate the national flag?

Many Americans think that we should make it illegal to desecrate the national flag — regardless of the fact that flags are only rarely desecrated in America and no one who desecrates an American flag abroad will be prosecuted for doing so.

Should the American flag ever fly lower than flags of other nations?

The American flag should never fly lower than flags of other nations. Protocol dictates the American flag be flown above a state flag. The American flag should never be permitted to touch the ground. Boy Scouts and other civic groups are happy to assist with proper disposal of flags.