911,228
https://www.legion.org/flag/flagmyths
People do it, and I've never heard of any law that would cause someone to be prosecuted for flying the flag at night without lighting.
Is it proper to fly the U.S. flag at night?
The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs 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. The American Legion interprets “ proper illumination” as a light specifically placed to illuminate the flag (preferred) or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer.
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Celia Moore
Portland, OR
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Carla Freund
Raleigh, NC
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Jason E. Gordon
San Diego, CA
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
Carlsbad, CA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Suma sridhar
Alviso, CA
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Kris Collis, Associate...
East Stroudsburg, PA
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
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Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
378,367
flag code isn't actually federal law, but it's the right thing to do.
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Celia Moore
Portland, OR
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Brenda Mayette
Glenville, NY
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Tammy Lankford,
Eatonton, GA
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Suma sridhar
Alviso, CA
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
1,543,225
No, it's just very disrespectful. Easy fix: get a solar or plug in spotlight on it, problem solved.
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Brenda Mayette
Glenville, NY
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Jason E. Gordon
San Diego, CA
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
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Olga Simoncelli
New Fairfield, CT
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
1,153,794
Unpatriotic for sure, however, it's not illegal.
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Brenda Mayette
Glenville, NY
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
1,052,056
Yes! US Flag Code, if you're gonna fly it at night it must have lighting.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Suma sridhar
Alviso, CA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
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Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
1,310,972
There are rules about flying the U. S. Flag. Breaking one of the rules is not breaking the law.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
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Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
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Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
3,344,906
See Jeff Pearl's answer. He saved me from doing it 😜
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Nancy Frimann
Gilroy, CA
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The Villages Realty
San Jose, CA
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
1,196,912
Not cool but is it actually illegal?
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
5,229,243
It is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset unless flags are illuminated. They are not to be flown during inclement weather and there are instances that the flag is flown at ½ mast/staff. That's my nutshell version - my own knowledge from elementary school, Will!!
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
1,502,848
It's against the flag code, but I'm not aware of anyone ever being arrested for it. I have lights on mine.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,844,171
Disrespectful is the word I'd use.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
2,435,649
We have 1,000 flags flying right now at a local school, round-the-clock, for the weekend. We have huge light plants in place to light them during the night. They are supposed to be lit at night, but I don't believe it's illegal if they are not. But it is disrespectful.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
7,834,961
No. Many homes in our area leave their flags up.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
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Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,555,743
I don't think it is illegal, it's just not proper etiquette/protocol. It's also inappropriate to wear clothing made of the stars and stripes, which leads me to believe that entering the Capitol with that type of clothing tends to take away one's patriotic bragging rights.
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Nancy Frimann
Gilroy, CA
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The Villages Realty
San Jose, CA
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
5,215,488
Jeff Pearl has you well covered on this one! You just can't teach some people respect. Very sad!
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
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Brian England
Gilbert, AZ
4,691,993
It seems that people are going to do what they want to do whether it is legal or not, haha.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
5,048,708
Jeff Pearl has a great answer. Not illegal, but it IS disrespectful.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
6,392,889
Not illegal, however you may be in danger from your neighbors if you do.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
1,622,432
There is no absolute prohibition in federal law on flying the flag 24 hours a day. The Flag Code states:
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 hours of darkness.
More rules here: https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RL30243.pdf
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
2,178,433
What is proper and illegal are two different things. This applies to many things including how we treat the U.S. Flag.
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
2,182,502
Interesting I never knew the Official Procedure
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
1,196,588
It should be lowered at night if lighting is not provided
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - W...
St. George, UT
763,783
901,187
Well, I learned something new today. I know some of the requirements. We typically put ours up for holidays such as Memorial Day, etc. I don't think we take it down at night or have a light. I'll have to ask my better half since he is the one who is usually in charge of the flag. In addition, my neighbors who usually know these things don't have theirs lit at night. Not I'll start watching.
851,242
I'm not sure anyone has ever been arrested for such but it sure is disrespectful.
3,164,119
I had a teacher in high school that taught us the flag code. I will have to say I see some very cringe worthy things people do with the American flag. I try not to judge. But I wish everyone knew the flag code.
3,125,265
It is very disrespectful, so is flying a tattered flag. Ours is lit 365 days of the year in our front yard and replaced once it starts to fray. My husband gives those flags to the Boy Scouts to properly retire them.