Patria's first Flag Day, 50 years ago today

On Jan. 25, 1973 the 39th Congress ratified the Flag Act. Although Patria's red, white and blue flag had been in use since 1818, there was no Act of Congress that officially proclaimed it as the national flag or fixed its technical standards.

Stand up for the flag of Patria! These colors don't run!

The Flag Act specified the proportions of the flag as 2:1, the shades of red and blue (same shades as on the US flag or Union Jack), as well as the width of the white saltire (the X-shaped cross separating the four triangles). Note that the saltire is considerably narrower than that of the Jamaican flag or Scotland's cross of St. Andrew.

The Act also officially proclaimed the flags of Patria's Armed Forces and Merchant Marine, which had also been in use long before 1973:

Flags of Patria's Navy, Army, Air Force and Merchant Marine

The Flag Act contains a comprehensive code for use of the flag:

• The Flag is to be regarded as the sacred emblem of the Inner Realm of Patria to be paid due reverence and devotion by all its citizens.

• The Flag should never be allowed to touch the ground or floor.

• The Flag should not be flown or used for purely decorative purposes on anything that is for temporary use and likely to be discarded, except on State occasions. 

• It should never have placed on it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure or drawing of any kind.

• The Flag should never be smaller than any other flag flown at the same time.

• When the Flag becomes worn, dilapidated, is torn, or no longer suitable for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning privately.

• No other flag should be placed above or to the right of the Patrienish Flag, except at Foreign Embassies, Consulates, and Missions.

• Except at Foreign Embassies, Consulates, and Missions, no foreign flags may be flown publicly, unless the Flag of Patria is also flown.

• The Flag, when carried in procession with another flag or flags, should be on the marching right, or if there is a line of flags, in front of the centre of that line.

• The Flag should not be draped over vehicles of any sort, except on Military, Police, and State occasions.

• The Flag should not be used as decorative patches or adornments on certain articles of intimate clothing such as bras, panties or boxer briefs.

• The Flag should be flown in or near every Polling Station on Election Day.

• The Flag should be flown at half-mast as a sign of official mourning when so declared by Congress, for a period determined by an Act of Congress. The half-mast position is approximately the ‘hoist’ or width (short side) of the flag below the peak of the flagpole and not halfway down.

• The Flag, when flown at half-mast, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered slowly to the half-mast position. It should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered.

• During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the Flag or when the Flag is passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present should face the Flag and stand at attention. Men should remove their hats. Persons in uniform should salute.

• The Flag should be flown on all Government and municipal buildings and offices, on or near the main administrative building, it is recommended that if possible, each day it should be lowered at sundown and raised at 8:00 a.m.

January 25 is celebrated as Flag Day in Patria. There had been no national day dedicated to Patria's flag prior to 1973. Over the past 50 years this day has become a public national holiday second only to Patria Day/Inauguration Day on June 30. When it falls on a Wednesday, as it does in 2023, all but the most hard-bitten workaholics book off a five-day weekend!