Learning About the American Flag

We laugh and shake our hands in shame when politicans make mistakes about American history. But, what do we know and what are we doing to learn?

The annual American Flag Day is coming up and it’s a great time for a quiz. Test your knowledge of the rules for displaying the Stars and Strikes. Most people don’t even know some of these protocols (I didn’t and it can be a learning experience for you too).

The American flag can be displayed in one of two directions, with the stars at the top of the flag on the observer’s left.

It should be placed on a certain side of a speaker or staging area. Other flags should be placed on the opposite side.

The Stars and Stripes bear an unmistakable resemblance to the flag of a West African country.

There’s an important rule it is flown with other national flags. There are also rules about the staffs on which they to be displayed. And during peacetime, international law forbids any flag from being flown in a certain way when grouped with those of other nations.

Any old red, white and blue won’t cut it. The colors are strictly defined.

A prominent spot is reserved for the American flag when it’s flown in a group of states, localities or societies. It might surprise you to find out the proper way to dispose of it. You have to burn it.

When a flag is suspended across a street, it should hang in a certain way with the stars pointing in one of two directions.

There are so many other protocols and a reason for each one. The list goes on and on. However, it’s important for every American to learn the history.