Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. I just put up the flag on this marvelous, sunny, cold Christmas Day. In case you didn’t know, the law says to do so. That’s right, there is a Flag Code enacted by Congress and signed into law by the President telling us when to fly the flag. It says:

36 U.S. Code §174 (d) Particular days of display
The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year’s Day, January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12; Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February; Easter Sunday (variable); Mother’s Day, second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.

Now you know. But don’t worry, the Flag Code is advisory, not mandatory. The FBI won’t be coming to get you if you don’t fly it today. I hope you do, though.