The History Behind the American Flag Touching the Ground

If a flag touches the ground, do you burn it? Is it illegal to put a flag on the floor? While it's a commonly held belief that the U.S. flag can never touch the ground, the full truth is a little more complicated.

The U.S. Flag Code explains that the flag is a living symbol that demands respect and care, and there have been multiple legislative changes regarding how Americans treat the flag. 

While there are no legal consequences for violating the Code, it's still important to understand why the American flag shouldn't touch the ground.

The U.S. Flag Code: A Brief Overview

The story behind the flag touching the ground is part of the U.S. Flag Code, also known as Public Law 94-344. This is a code of conduct that provides official guidelines for proper design and handling of the American flag. 

Some of the most important points in today's version of the Flag Code include:

• Orientation: The flag must be hung so the union, the starred blue square, is on its own right. To anyone facing the flag, the union will be in the upper left corner.
• Size: The flag must be an appropriate size for its setting. The general rule of thumb is to ensure the flag is about one-fourth of the flagpole's height. It must also be larger than other flags displayed nearby.
• Position: The American flag must hang above all other flags hung nearby, including the flags of U.S. states, military branches, religious denominations, and other countries. It must be positioned high enough to avoid contact with anything below it, including the ground.
• Illumination: If you want to fly a flag at night, you should install sufficient lighting to ensure the flag is visible at all times. Your lighting setup will vary depending on your location and the type of lights you choose.
• Usage: Section 3 of the Flag Code discourages using the flag for unauthorized purposes, such as advertising and fashion. It also condemns deliberately destroying the flag, though the current text contains fewer restrictions than previous versions.

Although the above guidelines are technically government rules, they're not legally enforceable due to the landmark case of Texas v. Johnson. That case ended with the Supreme Court's ruling that desecrating the flag is a form of speech and protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Some states and municipalities have their own rules for handling the flag. These laws sometimes have enforceable punishments that the federal Flag Code lacks. 

What Happens if the American Flag Touches the Ground?

Although the Flag Code emphasizes preventing the flag from touching the ground, nothing will happen for most people if it is still in good shape. You should be able to clean off any dirt and hang it right back up.

That said, you'll want to retire and replace the flag if it looks too worn to display. Make sure you choose one that complies with the design requirements in the U.S. Flag Code and fits your home or business's flagpole.

Do You Need to Retire an American Flag That Touches the Ground?

So what if your American flag touches the ground? The right course of action depends on how dirty or damaged it is. 

1. Retire the Flag

If your flag looks old and worn, it's time to retire it. You have several options:

• Flag retirement ceremony: Many organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, police stations, and local government offices have flag drop-off boxes outside their buildings. The members of the organization will make sure it is fit for disposal before burning it in an official flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, June 14. This option is the most dignified and formal way to ensure your flag is properly retired from service.
• Separating the Union from the Stripes: Another acceptable, albeit uncommon, method of properly disposing of an American flag is to separate the union (starfield) from the stripes. Once a flag is faded or torn, or otherwise no longer fit to be flown or displayed, the union can be cut and fully separated from the stripes. The separation of these two components means that your flag is now scrap fabric. Once separated from each other, both parts should be still be treated with respect and disposed of in separate wastebins.
• Dignified burial: Another option is burying a folded American flag in a suitable box as part of a formal flag retirement ceremony. This method is a good option for anyone who doesn't have access to a nearby disposal box or recycling center.

You can then replace your flag with a new one.

2. Keep It Flying

If your flag is still in good enough condition to fly, you can put it back up. Here's how:

1. Clean and dry the flag: Wash the flag according to the care instructions printed on the tag. Synthetic materials like nylon and polyester are usually safe to put in the washing machine, while natural materials like cotton and wool should be hand-washed or dry-cleaned. Nylon flags can also be spot-cleaned with Dawn dish soap and warm water.
2. Reattach the flag: Securely attach the flag to its fixture, using hardware as needed to prevent it from falling. Whether you are flying the flag horizontally or vertically, the union should always be on the upper left side when viewed from outside.
3. Maintain the flagpole: Whether your flag is hanging outside or inside, keeping the flagpole in good condition can help minimize your risk of it falling to the ground again.

Tips for Keeping Your Flag Off the Ground

Proper display is one of the easiest ways to keep your flag flying high for as long as possible. 

You can do several things to prevent your flag from falling on the ground, such as:

• Fly your flag at least 3 feet off the ground.
• Make sure you hang your flag on a high-quality flagpole.
• Attach it more securely with additional hardware pieces.
• Take it down during severe weather.
• Choose a flag made from a heavier material that is less likely to blow away.
• Adjust the flagpole angle to prevent the flag from sliding down.

You may also need to perform more complex repairs to your flagpole to keep it in good condition. If that's the case, your best bet is to call a professional to handle it for you.

Replace Your Damaged American Flag With Help From Gates Flag & Banner

If your flag is too worn and damaged to fly again, the best thing to do is to retire it and get a new flag to take its place. That's where we at Gates Flag & Banner Co. come in.

Whether you need a replacement American flag, a military flag, or a custom banner, our team will help you find or design what you're looking for. We also offer flagpole installation and repair services to ensure your new flag can fly high for years to come.

Browse all our 100% American-made flags on our website, and feel free to contact us online with any questions you have.