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As children, we are taught to respect our elders – everyone from parents and grandparents to aunts, uncles, teachers and neighbors. Much like these all-important friends and family members, Americans have another 237-year-old elder in their midst that also commands honor and respect: the American flag. While nationwide respect for the American flag has been almost universal since its creation in 1777, those rules of respect were not recorded as law until 165 years later. In 1942, Congress adopted the U.S. Flag Code to provide guidance for both the handling and the display of the U.S. flag. Although penalties are not issued for failure to follow the U.S. Flag Code, it is widely recognized as the authority on U.S. flag etiquette. As prescribed by the U.S. Flag Code, here are 12 guidelines for honorably handling and displaying the American flag:

As Americans, we enjoy reading lists such as the Consumer Reports Best Products list, New York Times Best Sellers list and Billboard’s Hot 100 list.Perhaps our attraction to these lists is that they give us insights into products and services valued by others. After all, in a free enterprise system that bombards us with choices, ranked lists help us to quickly identify “the best of the best” products and services so we can narrow the selection field. Below is a list of Carrot-Top Industries’ most popular products. As you review this list, do you see any “must-have” flag-related products that you would like to add to either your shopping cart or wish list?

Much like when considering the purchase of a new vehicle, shopping for a new flagpole requires research, planning and forethought. To simplify the process, below is a five-step guide to help you decide which flagpole best meets the needs of your environment and the desired “look” of your flag display.

Just as the U.S. military forces conduct themselves in an orderly fashion, so too does a military flag display follow a strict set of rules and order. When flags from each military branch are carried in a horizontal line formation during a parade or flown from a five-flagpole display, the flags must be flown in a certain order. The proper military flag order was prescribed on October 31, 1977, by the U.S. Department of Defense Directive 1005.8. It states that from left to right, the prescribed peacetime military branch flag order is: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

The History Behind the Tennessee Flag Design

The History Behind the Florida State Flag Design

The History Behind the Ohio State Flag Design

With its 13 stripes, its 50 stars and its red, white and blue color scheme, the American flag is an iconic symbol of freedom, unity and patriotism. While the basic design elements of the U.S. flag have remained constant since its inception, there have been 27 different versions of the American flag during its 244-year history, with the majority of those changes accounting for stars being added to the flag’s blue field as new states were added to the Union.

Every year on February 23, we recall the anniversary of U.S. military service members raising the American flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II. The U.S. military sought occupation of Iwo Jima because it was strategically located about 750 miles southeast of the main island of Japan and could be used as an aircraft base for launching air raids on Japan’s main island.

As Americans, we are inherently creatures of community and celebration. We cling tightly to holidays when we can gather with family and friends and experience the joy of togetherness. Yet, when the pandemic struck our country in Spring 2020, the future of many of our beloved holiday traditions became uncertain. The solution? American ingenuity.

The day that was originally set aside to honor our nation’s first president George Washington has now become a federal holiday that honors Washington, Lincoln and, some might say, all of America’s historical leaders. The history of the transition from Washington’s Birthday to Presidents Day spans more than 200 years. Learn how Presidents Day came to be.

The History Behind the California Flag Design

Much like the preventative health care visits you make to your family physician or dentist, your flag display requires routine “health checks” to ensure that it is always in top flag-flying condition. At a minimum, a quarterly flag display “check-up” will help you to identify and correct any emerging issues. With harsh winter weather already upon us, now is the perfect time to evaluate the condition of your flag display. Doing so is as easy as 1-2-3:

The History Behind the Georgia Flag Design

Each year on either the second or the third Saturday of December, hundreds of volunteers and businesses partner to place wreaths on veterans’ graves throughout the nation. Known as “Wreaths Across America Day,” this year’s event will be held on December 19th at 2,400 cemeteries. It has become an annual tradition of remembering our nation's fallen heroes during the holiday season.

The History Behind the Texas Flag Design

For more than 200 years, Americans have celebrated the Inauguration Day ceremonies for both the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States. Inauguration Day is a federal holiday that occurs every four years on January 20, or on January 21 if January 20 falls on a Sunday. The next U.S. Inauguration Day will occur on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. On that day, the U.S. will celebrate its 59th inaugural ceremonies.

Each year on December 7, Americans observe National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day to honor the 2,400 U.S. military service members and civilians who died during the Imperial Japanese Navy and Air Force’s attack on Pearl Harbor. In addition to the casualties incurred during the Pearl Harbor attack, more than 1,000 Americans were injured that day.