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Flag History & Etiquette

The flag of the United States of America has 13 stripes - seven red and six white - and a blue field with a white star for each state - five rows of six and four rows of five. The stripes remind us of the 13 original colonies that gained us our freedom, and the stars represent the states that are now bound together in making up our wonderful nation.

History Of Your Flag

The flag that you may help hoist over your ship or for your community grew out of many earlier flags. You should know about them, for they tell an interesting early flag history.


The Queen Anne flag waved over the 13 American colonies from 1707 to the Revolution. This was the flag of England which was red with a union combining the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew. Before this flag, other flags had flown over different parts of America, such as the Norsemen and the flags of Spain, France, Holland, Sweden, and even an earlier English flag.


The Grand Union flag was raised over George Washington's headquarters outside Boston on January 1, 1776. The Revolutionary War had started the year before, and the colonies needed a flag of their own. The Grand Union was the same as the Queen Anne flag, but the red field was broken into seven red stripes and six white ones to represent the 13 colonies.


In May of 1776 Betsy Ross, a friend to George Washington, reported to him she had sewn the first American Flag. On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress adopted the following:

Resolved: that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.(the stars represent Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island)

On February 14, 1778 John Paul Jones, founder of the U.S. Navy, received the first salute to the American flag from a foreign power when he sailed into Quiberon Bay, France.

In 1787, Captain Robert Gray carries the flag around the world on his sailing vessel (around the tip of South America, to China, and beyond). He discovered a great river and named it after his boat The Columbia. His discovery was the basis of America's claim to the Oregon Territory.

In 1795, Vermont and Kentucky were added to the union and the flag was changed to 15 stripes and 15 stars.

On September 14, 1814 Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star Spangled Banner". It was adopted as the National Anthem in 1931.

In 1818 five more states joined the union and the flag was changed back to 13 stripes and has remained that way ever since, with a white star being added for each new state.

August 3, 1949 President Truman signed a bill establishing June 14th as Flag Day.

In 1963 an American flag was placed on top of Mt. Everest by Barry Bishop.

July 20, 1969 - The American flag is placed on the moon by Neil Armstrong.

When To Fly Your Flag

The flag of the United States should be flown every day when weather permits, but especially on New Years Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Armed Forces Day, Easter Sunday, Mother's Day, Memorial Day (flown at half-mast until noon), Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Citizenship Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, birthdays of states, and on state holidays.

Hoisting and Lowering the Flag

Two Sea Scouts are required to hoist or lower the flag correctly. In hoisting, one holds the flag to prevent it from touching the ground, while the other attaches the line and raises the flag, keeping it close to the staff by holding the line rather taut.

When the flag has left the bearer's arms, he steps back and comes to salute. In lowering, the flag bearer catches the flag and unfastens it.

Hoist it briskly in the morning, usually at 0800, but not before sunrise, and lower it slowly in the evening, always before sunset.

To indicate mourning, display the flag at half-mast, raising it to the peak first, then lowering it to the half-mast position.

Saluting Your Flag

Whenever you see the flag hoisted or lowered, or when you pass it or are passed by it, you will want to show your respect by saluting if you are in uniform or by placing your right hand over your heart if you are in civilian clothes.

When the flag passes you, come to attention and face it. Salute just before the flag reaches the point opposite you and hold the salute until it has passed. When you pass the flag, come to attention six steps before you reach it and hold the salute until you are six steps past it. In formation, you salute the command of your leader.

When the flag is carried, there should be a color guard on each side of it. When carried with other flags, the flag should be in front of the others, or to the right if the flags are arranged in a line.

Displaying the Flag

There is a right and a wrong way to display the flag, weather it is on the wall or from a staff. You should know the right way, and you should know that the flag is never used as a drapery (use red, white, and blue bunting instead); that nothing is ever placed on it; and that it never touches the ground, the floor, or the water beneath it.

When displaying the flag from a staff, the U.S. Flag is always on top, above any other flags on the same staff. If the staff is placed at an angle, the blue field is the highest point of the flag. When flying at half-mast, the U.S. flag is at the halfway point of the mast and other flags fly below it.

When the flag is displayed alongside other flags, it is always on the right. No flag is to be placed to right of the U.S. Flag. When marching or carrying the flag it is always in front or to the right of all other flags. It is also slightly higher than all other flags. When it is displayed on a stage, it is always to the speaker's right, or on the left when you face the stage.



When displaying the flag as a banner or on the wall, the blue field is always on top and to the flag's right. That is on your left when you face it.



If the flag is displayed crossed with another flag, it is on the left when you are facing it and the staff is in front of the other flag's staff.

Care of the Flag

After it has been lowered, the flag should br folded properly. First fold it lengthwise in half, then in quarters, with the blue field on the outside. Finally, while one person holds it by the blue field, another makes a triangular fold in the opposite end, starting the fold left to to right, and continues to fold it in triangles until the flag resembles a cocked hat, with only the blue field showing. The remaining strip is then tucked into the last fold to secure the folded flag.

The flag should be cleaned when soiled and mended when torn. When worn beyond repair, and can no longer represent our nation with dignity and honor, the flag should be retired by burning with a proper dignified retirement ceremony. The U.S. Congress has commissioned all branches of the Armed Services and the Boy Scouts of America to properly retire any flag which can no longer be displayed with honor and dignity.

The National Ensign

The flag of the United States, referred to in general as the American flag, is known to Sea Scouts as the national ensign. Ever since John Paul Jones sailed the Ranger into Quiberon Bay in France to receive the first salute of the American flag by a foreign power, The U.S. Navy has referred to our flag as the national ensign.

Therefore, in the atmosphere of Sea Scouting, aboard or ashore, Sea Scouts refer to the American flag as the national ensign, adding the traditions of the Navy to their own high respect for their flag.

 
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Page last updated 03/29/06
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