Quiz: The American Flag
Take our quiz on flag etiquette and history.
The Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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1. Who made the nation's first flag?
In May 1776, George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross, all representatives of the Continental Congress, visited Elizabeth "Betsy" Griscom Ross in Philadelphia. The three men asked the 24-year-old upholsterer to sew the nation's first flag. While Betsy Ross, the widow of Griscom Ross' nephew, is credited with sewing the first flag, some believe that Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, designed the flag.
2. What is a vexillologist?
Someone who studies flags.
3. If a flag touches the ground must it be destroyed?
No. Every attempt should be made to keep a flag off the ground. Flags can and should be washed when they get dirty. Never put a flag in the dryer.
4. What is the proper way to dispose of an old flag?
Flags that are frayed, generally worn or excessively damaged are typically burned. The local VFW, American Legion or Elks are good sources of information on how to properly dispose of a flag.
5. When is it acceptable to wear a flag?
The flag should never be worn, used for advertising purposes, printed on anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. One exception is a flag patch. When affixing a patch to apparel, the field of stars should be worn closest to the heart. There are left- and right-sided patches to accommodate this rule.
6. Is there anything wrong with displaying a flag with fewer than 50 stars?
No. It is perfectly acceptable to fly historic flags.
7. Who decides when to fly a flag at half-mast?
Only the President of the U.S. or a governor can order a flag lowered to half-mast. A flag is lowered for 30 days for the death of a President and ten days for a Vice President.
8. What's the size limit on flag displays?
The only limit involves the size of the flag pole. A flag should be no bigger than a pole can accommodate. A flag should always be allowed to fly free and never carried flat or horizontally as is sometimes done before athletic competitions. Flags should not be draped on cars, boats or on parade floats.
9. Can other flags be flown at the same height as the American flag?
Yes. When multiple flags are flown on adjacent poles, they may all be displayed at the same height provided that they are all flown to the American flag's right. The American flag should be raised first and lowered last.
10. Should noncitizens stand during the national anthem?
Yes. Noncitizens show courtesy by standing at attention. American citizens should place their right hand over their hearts. Persons in uniform should salute.
11. In what year did Francis Scott Key write the Star-Spangled Banner?
1814. It was adopted officially as our national anthem on March 3, 1931.
12. Is it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down?
Yes, but only in an emergency. It means "Help me, I am in trouble!"
13. Who wrote the song "You're a Grand Old Flag?"
George M. Cohan. It was the first song from a musical to sell over a million copies of sheet music.
14. Where is the original Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen what became our country's national anthem, being restored?
The Smithsonian Institution, with support from the White House and funding from the Pew Charitable Trust and other sources, is restoring the Star-Spangled Banner. You can see it and the work being done if you visit the Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
15. What is the proper way to hoist a flag to the half-mast position?
Raise the Flag to the top of the pole for a moment then bring it down to where the top of the flag is at a position approximately half way between the top and bottom of the pole. The flag should again be raised to the peak when being lowered for the day.
BONUS: When did the Flag Day celebration begin?
June 14 was proclaimed Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. While Flag Day was a popular celebration in scores of communities for many years after Wilson's proclamation, it didn't receive its official Congressional designation until 1949.
Sources: www.ushistory.org/betsy, www.usflag.org, http://www.americanflags.org, and Pat Behn, Flags International, 8265 Springboro Pike, Miami Twp.
