As we get ready to celebrate the 4th of July, I'm sure you're already seeing American flags all over New York State. But, there are certain things that are considered disrespectful to the flag and should never, ever be done. Here are the 11 things you should avoid doing to the American Flag.

According to Cornell Law, 4 U.S. Code § 8 - Respect for flag, details what should never be done to the American flag,

No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

1.

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The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

2.

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The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.

3.

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Photo by Erica Marsland Huynh on Unsplash
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The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.

4.

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The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.

5.

The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.

6.

Koshu Kunii, Unsplash
Koshu Kunii, Unsplash
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The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.

7.

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Photo by Gerard Avril on Unsplash
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The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

8.

Photo by Dalton Caraway on Unsplash
Photo by Dalton Caraway on Unsplash
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The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

9.

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No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.

10.

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The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

11.

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The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.

You might be surprised to know that burning the American flag is NOT illegal, but many people still consider burning the American flag disrepectful. The Supreme Court ruled that it is a form of protest, covered by the First Amendment. According to LawInfo.com,

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the government cannot prohibit citizens from desecrating the American flag, stating 'If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.'
This decision also struck down national flag desecration laws that existed in 48 states.

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