Photograph by Brown Brothers 



CUTTING FLAG STARS BY MACHINERY 



Five-pointed stars are used exclusively on our national flags today, but in the early days 

 of the Republic the six-pointed star frequently appeared. Until 1842 the stars of the Great 

 Seal of the United States were six-pointed, and they are still to be found on the "Liberty" 

 side of many of our silver coins. 



ing "colors," the band plays the national 

 anthem, at the beginning of which the 

 ensign is started up and hoisted smartly 

 to the peak. All officers then face the 

 ensign and salute, and the guard of the 

 day and the sentries come to present. If 

 there be no band, the field music sounds 

 "to the colors." If the ship happens to 

 be in a foreign port the national anthem 

 of that country is played following the 

 raising of the ensign. Then follow the 

 national anthems of the ships of war 

 present, in the order of rank. 



At sunset "colors" the ensign is started 



from the peak at the beginning of the 

 national anthem and is lowered slowly 

 and with dignity. All officers and en- 

 listed men face toward the colors. If 

 in uniform, covered or uncovered, or in 

 civilian clothes, uncovered, they salute at 

 the first note of the anthem, retaining the 

 position of salute until the last note of 

 the anthem. If not in uniform and cov- 

 ered, they uncover at the first note of 

 the anthem, holding the headdress oppo- 

 site the left shoulder, and remain in that 

 position until the last note of the anthem, 

 except in inclement weather, when the 



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