If you think donning an American flag patterned bikini is an act of patriotism you are dead wrong. That act as well as countless others, including American flag-patterned napkins for your Fourth Of July Barbecue actually violate the United States Flag Code. Flag beach towels, baseball caps and the U.S. Olympic Team uniforms that are splattered with the nations insignia.
These attempted acts of patriotism violate sections 8d and 8i of the code, which states the flag should not be used “as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery … It should not be printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes.”
Issued by Congress in 1942, the code includes a plethora of rules — most of which are habitually broken — dedicated to protecting and respecting the flag.
But don’t throw away your Stars and Stripes accessories just yet: According to experts, no one cares enough about the flag code to tar and feather you especially because its just code, not law.
