An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week
When it comes to holidays that don’t get a lot of hype, Flag Day must be at or near the top of the list. You may not have known it was this Saturday, that it’s celebrated every June 14th, and that it commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress.
Though Flag Day is not a federal holiday, it’s observed with patriotic flag-raising ceremonies, and citizens are encouraged to display the American flag outside their homes and businesses. The day also serves to educate people on proper flag etiquette.
One of those points of flag etiquette is how to properly fold the American flag.
The American flag is folded into a triangular shape as a show of respect and dignity during various situations. This practice is performed after lowering the flag, particularly at sunset, to prepare it for proper storage. The triangle fold is also used in military and patriotic ceremonies, such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, and is a key tradition at military funerals, where the flag is presented to the family of a fallen service member. The folding process is designed to honor the flag’s significance, with the triangular shape representing a tricorn hat, a nod to soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Illustration by Ted Slampyak
