Display Flag on June 14 - And Observe These 1957 Rules The flag of the United States —the living symbol of the republic—was first authorized by Congress on June 14, 1777. This day is now observed throughout the nation as Flag Day, an occasion when homes as wel 1 as public buildings should display the national emblem. Those who intend to display the flag next Friday—Flag Day —should make sure that they observe the proper rules, set forth in Public Law 829, passed by the 77th Congress and approved June 22, 1942. Law Defines Rules Most homes do not have flag poles, but the law says: "When the flag is displayed otherwise than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out, or so suspended that its folds fall as free as though the flag were staffed." The flag may be displayed either horizontally or vertically. In either case it is important to remember that the union (field of stars) be uppermost and to the flag's own right, which means to the observer's left. It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset, but not on days when the weather is inclement. Handle With Care "The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in such a manner as will permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in anyway," the law says. Furthermore, it "should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise." When a flag is staffed it "should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously." The proper method of folding is described in the American Legion's handbook on flag etiquette as follows: "(a) Straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once; (b) fold it length wise a second time to meet thf open edge, making sure thai the union of stars on the blue field remains outward in full view (a large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time). (c) A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge; 'd) the outer point is then turned inward parallel with the open edge to form a second triangle; <e) this diagonal or triangular folding is continued toward the blue union until the end is reached, with only the blue showing and the form being that of a cocked hat." May Be Cleaned It is permissible to wash or dry clean a flag, but "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," the law states. The symbolism of the flag was interpreted by George Washington in these words: "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."