The Flags That Fly 24 Hours A Day
Historical Note: After the addition of the new House and Senate wings in the
1850s, even before the great dome was completed in 1863, photographs of the period show
flags flying over each new wing and the central east and west fronts.
The custom of flying the flags 24 hours a day over the east and west fronts was begun
during World War 1. This was done in response to requests received from all over the
country urging that the flag of the United States be flown continuously over the public
buildings in Washington, DC.
Presidential proclamations and laws since that time authorize the display of the flag 24
hours a day at the following places:
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine,
Baltimore, Maryland (Presidential
Proclamation No.2795, July 2, 1948).
Flag House Square, Albemarle and Pratt Streets,
Baltimore Maryland (Public Law 83-319,
approved March 26, 1954).
United States Marine Corp Memorial (Iwo Jima),
Arlington, Virginia (Presidential
Proclamation No.3418, June 12, 1961).
On the Green of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
(Public Law 89-335, approved
November 8, 1965).
The White House, Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation
No.4000, September 4.1970).
Washington Monument, Washington, DC., (Presidential Proclamation No.4064, July 6,1971,
effective July 4, 1971). Fifty Flags of the United States are displayed at the Washington
Monument continuously.
United States Customs Ports of Entry which are continually
open (Presidential Proclamation
No.4131, May 5, 1972).
Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State
Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
(Public Law 94-53, approved July 4, 1975).
Many other places fly the flag at night as a patriotic
gesture by custom.
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