THE AMERICAN FLAG
The current status of the flag is:
The rules for handling and displaying the U.S. Flag are defined by a law known as the U.S. Flag Code, which is 4 U.S. Code Chapter 1.
The manner of delivery of the Pledge of Allegiance states that when not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it over the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Persons in military service uniform do not recite the Pledge and instead should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. The ability of uniformed service members to be eligible to wear a uniform is their Pledge of Allegiance to the United States.
When Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union a contest was held for ideas about how to design the flag with 50 stars. The design selected by President Eisenhower was submitted by a 17-year-old from Ohio, Robert G. Heft.
Of the six American flags planted on the moon, five are still standing. Which one is not? The first one, which was planted by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission.
The colors of the flag are not technically red, white, and blue. The colors as defined are white, “Old Glory Red”, and “Old Glory Blue”.
The colors of the flag are defined as representing “hardiness and valor” for red, “purity and innocence” for white, and “vigilance, perseverance, and justice” for blue.
While a commonly taught history of the flag includes that the original design was created by Betsy Ross there is actually no evidence that this is true. The Betsy Ross story didn’t actually appear until about 40 years after her death and was promoted by her grandson. She was, however, well known at the time for making flags for the Pennsylvania navy during the American Revolution.
According to the North American Vexillological Association, Frances Hopkinson, a member of the Continental Congress from New Jersey, is the creator of the original design of the flag, as well as contributing to the Great Seal of the United States. Vexillology refers to the study of the history, symbolism, and usage of flags.
After a national tragedy the flag is flown at what is called “half staff” on land or “half mast” on a ship.
The flag folding ceremony of the United States Armed Forces prescribes that the flag be folded thirteen times, each fold having a specific meaning.
When displayed on a wall, the blue field should be in the upper left corner when the viewer is looking at the flag. Specifically the flag should hang so that the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right.
When displayed on arm patches of military uniforms the flag should appear to be facing forward as if it is being carried.
