{"id":5160,"date":"2019-06-14T11:34:33","date_gmt":"2019-06-14T18:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alconlighting.com\/blog\/?p=5160"},"modified":"2026-03-25T14:37:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T21:37:20","slug":"lighting-americas-flag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alconlighting.com\/blog\/newsfeed\/lighting-americas-flag\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Lighting America\u2019s Flag"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Continental Congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new American republic on June 14, 1777, stating \u201c…that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” President Truman declared June 14 as Flag Day on August 3, 1949.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historians believe the first American flag was designed by New Jersey Congressman Francis Hopkinson and sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross, though this is a matter of some dispute.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/a>
The original U.S. flag, adopted in 1777 had 13 stars for the 13 colonies.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Anyone considering displaying America\u2019s flag this Veteran\u2019s Day might want to review these tips on proper illumination.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

American Flag Lighting Tips<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generally, when darkness makes it necessary, it\u2019s best to illuminate the American flag with wide angle flood bulbs. Depending on the distance, LED wide angle flood lights which direct light in a wider beam spread, account for the flag\u2019s movement in the wind. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Buzz<\/a>
Buzz Aldrin salutes the flag. Original photo of the Lunar Flag Assembly.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Whether hanging a U.S. flag on a front porch bracket, which is common for residential display, or hoisting or displaying the flag on a commercial or residential property flagstaff, the flag ought to be properly lighted after sundown. The alternative is withdrawing the flag from display.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. Flag code, as the law passed by Congress in 1942 came to be known, America\u2019s flag should be displayed at dawn and lowered or removed at dusk. Those choosing to display the flag at night should consider using two or more lighting fixtures, depending on the flag\u2019s size and the height of the flagstaff or pole. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
If you are using a vertical flagpole, use 2-3 uplights<\/a> at the base of the pole.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Two to three fixtures should be installed around three feet from the flag pole and directed toward the top of the pole. Lighting fixtures producing 500 to 750 lumens are considered ideal with narrow beam spreads ranging from 15-25\u00b0. This calculation is based upon flag poles ranging in height from 10 to 25 feet.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most American flags measure up to 4 x 6 feet. Displaying larger U.S. flags, such as those that measure 6 x 10 feet, may mean using three fixtures. Note that when America\u2019s flag is displayed either horizontally or vertically, such as on a wall, the Union (the blue field) is best displayed to the observer\u2019s left.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Continental Congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new American republic on June 14, 1777. President Truman declared June 14 as Flag Day August 3, 1949. Anyone considering displaying America\u2019s flag for Flag Day today or on Independence Day on July 4th might want to give some thought to proper illumination.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":10081,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[352,314],"tags":[756,752],"thb-sponsors":[],"ppma_author":[775],"yoast_head":"\nLighting the American Flag: Displaying the Flag at Night \u2013 Insights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you you want to fly the American flag at night, then you need proper lighting. 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