4 U.S.C. § 6
Verified against govinfo.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on govinfo.gov ↗
- (a)It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
- (b)The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
- (c)The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.
- (d)The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year’s Day, January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, third Monday in January; Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12; Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February; National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29; Easter Sunday (variable); Mother’s Day, second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Father’s Day, third Sunday in June; Independence Day, July 4; National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.
- (e)The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
- (f)The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.
- (g)The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.