What is the proper thing to do when the flag is passing in a parade or during the playing of the national anthem. Should you stand or salute? Are women required to remove their hats? Can you salute if you're not in uniform?
Conduct During the Passing of Colors
Here is the wording of 4 U.S. Code § 9 "Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag"
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.
Conduct During the National Anthem
Here is the wording of 36 U.S. Code § 301 "National anthem"
(a) Designation.—The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.—During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1)when the flag is displayed—
(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
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What must Americans do during the anthem?
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
New US citizens follow etiquette as the national anthem is played
US President Donald Trump has criticised NFL players who kneel during the national anthem in protest at what they perceive as racial injustice.
He calls it "disrespecting the flag" but supporters of the protest believe the players are exercising their right to free speech.
But there is a breach of etiquette here enshrined in law.
The Flag Code covers all aspects of etiquette in relation to the Stars and Stripes, including how to behave when the anthem is played. The code is never enforced, however, and there is no punishment for breaching it.
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So what should you do when the national anthem is played?
The code states that persons present are expected to stand and face the flag, if there is one. Civilians should stand to attention with right hand over heart, while military personnel in uniform and veterans should salute throughout. A recent amendment to the code said that military personnel out of uniform could also salute.
President Barack Obama famously neglected to put his hand over his heart during the 2008 election campaign. He explained his mistake by saying his grandfather taught him to do this only during the pledge, and to only sing during the anthem.
On the balcony of the White House, President Trump needed a prompt from his wife Melania when he forgot to put his hand on his chest.
Video caption,Did First Lady Melania Trump give her husband a 'nudge' during the national anthem? You decide
The Star-Spangled Banner - first verse
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 through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's 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?
Alexandra Deutsch, from the Maryland Historical Society, tells the BBC how America got its national anthem
Men not in uniform should remove any headdress with their right hand and hold it at their left shoulder, the code states. This is generally observed at sporting events. NFL players may not put on their helmets until after the anthem is played.
The Flag Code makes no mention of whether the anthem should be sung by those present. However, singing the Star-Spangled Banner is encouraged from school onwards - in some schools it is compulsory. In 1942 the National Anthem Committee wrote that "it is of paramount importance that emphasis be placed upon the singing of the National Anthem".
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Kaepernick made the protest during an exhibition game (file picture)
What should you avoid doing with the flag?
Numerous manufacturers of flag merchandise could be in trouble here. The Flag Code states that it should not be used for any advertising purpose, and should not be embroidered or printed on any material for temporary use.
It should also never be part of a costume or sports uniform, or used as "wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery". Olympic medal winners who celebrate their success by covering themselves in the flag should take note.
Also, the flag should never be displayed upside down, except as a symbol of "dire distress".
Is it illegal to burn the US flag?
Image source, Getty Images
Protesters throughout the world frequently set alight US flags to demonstrate their hatred of America, but you would not face prosecution for doing so in the US itself. In 1990 the Supreme Court invalidated a federal law against desecration of the flag on the grounds that it was in violation of the First Amendment on freedom of speech.
In fact, burning the flag is sometimes even encouraged. The Flag Code says that no disrespect should be shown to it, but also allows for any flag which is not fit for display to be "destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning".
How long has the Flag Code been around?
Experts say that US flag etiquette is important because was created out of respect for the country's historical heritage.
But the code was first drawn up only in 1923 under the auspices of the American Legion, and only became law when the US was at war, in 1942.