Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight'
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
. .
White House
US Flag.org
Music of America
American History in Patrotic Sounds and Music
US History/Betsy Ross
All Flags.com
FBI.gov
White House.gov
Nikki's POW/MIA Vigil
VETERANS
. .
The terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center have sparked a wave of patriotism that has seen more and more Americans displaying flags of all sizes in windows, outside homes, on automobile antennas and flying at half-staff from flagpoles.
However, many people are unfamiliar with the U.S. code for proper U.S. flag display. Here are some pointers to remember from the U.S. code.
- Old Glory is normally flown from sunrise to sunset, but may be flown after dark if it is properly illuminated. It should never touch the ground and no flag should be placed above or to the right of the U.S. flag at the same height. When surrounded by flags of states or localities, the American flag should be at the center and highest point of the group.
- When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the blue field should be uppermost and to the flag's right - the observer's left. The same applies when hanging the flag in a window: the blue should be to the left of the observer in the street.
- The American flag should be flown at half-staff when the entire nation is in mourning. The president or other government officials may order flags to be flown at half-staff.
When the U.S. flag flies at half-staff, it should be first raised to the top of the flagpole for a moment and then lowered to the half-staff position. It is raised again before being lowered for the day. Other flags flying adjacent to Old Glory also must be flown at half-staff or taken down.
A black streamer should be attached to the top of the pole if the American flag cannot be displayed at half-staff, such as those flying on short poles jutting from houses or porches. A black bow should be affixed to the fastening points of U.S. flags hung on walls or windows.