Q 01/05

Which country's fleet gave the Stars and Stripes its first official salute, in 1778?

A) Spain

B) Portugal

C) France

D) Sweden

Answer · why

C) France

France: its fleet at Quiberon Bay saluted the sloop Ranger in February 1778, soon after that ship had carried news of the Saratoga victory to Benjamin...

Q 02/05

What penalty does the U.S. Flag Code set for citizens who display the flag improperly?

A) A fine of up to $250

B) None

C) Up to 10 days in jail

D) Loss of federal benefits

Answer · why

B) None

None: the Code is a voluntary guide written with words such as 'should' and 'custom', and courts have found that it does not outlaw any conduct.

Q 03/05

Which state's admission prompted the 50-star flag design adopted in 1960?

A) Alaska

B) Arizona

C) Hawaii

D) New Mexico

Answer · why

C) Hawaii

Hawaii became the 50th state in August 1959; Alaska's admission that January had already produced a 49-star flag, which stayed official for only one y...

Q 04/05

Under the U.S. Flag Code, when may a flag fly outdoors through the night?

A) Only on federal holidays

B) When it is lit

C) When it is an all-weather flag

D) Only during wartime

Answer · why

B) When it is lit

When it is lit: the Code calls sunrise-to-sunset display the universal custom, but a properly illuminated flag may fly all night, and flags fly nonsto...

Q 05/05

Who raised the U.S. flag in the famous photograph taken at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001?

A) Three police officers

B) Three firefighters

C) Three Marines

D) Three construction workers

Answer · why

B) Three firefighters

Three firefighters raised it, but that flag went missing within hours and was not recovered until 2014, after a TV program prompted a tip.