Flag Rules.

• Position: PAIRING A PRIMARY & SEONDARY SOURCE - Excerpt

You're probably accustomed to saying the Pledge of Allegiance and saluting the flag. But did you Know these customs are written into U.S. law? In the late 1800s, many states began passing laws about how the flag should be treated. In 1942, the rules were unified to create the first federal flag code. Now updated every six years, this code sets out rules for displaying, handling, and saluting the flag. The rules don't specify penalties for violations; rather, they're meant as guidelines for U.S. citizens. Below is an excerpt from the current code. Read it along with the Upfront article about the Pledge of Allegiance, then answer the questions at the bottom of the page.

U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1:

Item 4 The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "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," should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and veterans may render the military salute in the manner provided for persons in uniform.

Item 5 The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States....

Item 6 (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...