In this photograph, taken by Paul Morse on September 12, 2002, a group of firefighters unfurl a large American flag over the damaged Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The flag was displayed to encourage and inspire rescue workers as they searched the debris for survivors. On September 11, 2001, the hijacked aircraft American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the west side of the Pentagon, resulting in 184 casualties. On September 11, 2008, President George W. Bush attended the dedication ceremony of the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, built to honor the victims of the attack.

This photograph, taken by Joyce N. Boghosian on September 11, 2020, shows the American flag atop the White House flown at half-staff in observance of Patriot Day. In 2002, President George W. Bush designated September 11th as Patriot Day, a time that has been recognized through presidential proclamations as a national day of remembrance, prayer, and service. Presidents and first ladies typically commemorate the day through moment of silence observations on the White House South Lawn, and by attending remembrance ceremonies at sites affected by the terrorist attacks.

This photograph, taken by Joyce N. Boghosian on September 11, 2020, shows the American flag atop the White House flown at half-staff in observance of Patriot Day. In 2002, President George W. Bush designated September 11th as Patriot Day, a time that has been recognized through presidential proclamations as a national day of remembrance, prayer, and service. Presidents and first ladies typically commemorate the day through moment of silence observations on the White House South Lawn, and by attending remembrance ceremonies at sites affected by the terrorist attacks.

In this photograph, a flag detail and a lone bugler from the United States Marine Band march across the South Grounds in front of the Rose Garden in advance of a moment of silence held on the South Lawn to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. In 2002, President George W. Bush designated September 11th as Patriot Day, a time that has been recognized through presidential proclamations as a national day of remembrance, prayer, and service. Presidents and first ladies typically commemorate the day through moment of silence observations on the White House South Lawn, and by attending remembrance ceremonies at sites affected by the terrorist attacks.

In this photograph, taken by Pete Souza on September 11, 2014, President Barack Obama listens to the national anthem with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, during the September 11th Observance Ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. In 2002, President George W. Bush designated September 11th as Patriot Day, a time that has been recognized through presidential proclamations as a national day of remembrance, prayer, and service. Presidents and first ladies typically commemorate the day through moment of silence observations on the White House South Lawn, and by attending remembrance ceremonies at sites affected by the terrorist attacks.

In this photograph, taken on July 19, 1996, President Bill Clinton and Olympic track and field gold medalist Evelyn Ashford pass an American flag to Olympic freestyle wrestler Bruce Baumgartner during a ceremony held at the Olympic Village in Atlanta, Georgia in advance of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Baumgartner was selected by his teammates to carry the flag for the American team during the opening ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games; Ashford previously carried the flag during the opening ceremonies of the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Later that day, President Clinton delivered opening remarks during the opening opening ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics at the Centennial Olympic Stadium.

This photograph, taken on July 19, 1996, shows President Bill Clinton and members of the U.S. Olympic team paying homage to the American flag during a ceremony held at the Olympic Village in Atlanta Georgia in advance of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The event was attended by former Olympic champions including Kristi Yamaguchi, Rafer Johnson, Edwin Moses, Mark Spitz, and Pam Shriver. During the event, President Clinton assisted in passing the American flag to freestyle wrestler Bruce Baumgartner, pictured here at right of Clinton. Later that day, Baumgartner carried the flag in front of the American team and President Clinton delivered opening remarks at the Centennial Olympic Stadium. Clinton was the second American president to formally open an Olympic Games, following a precedent established when President Ronald Reagan opened the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 1984.

This close-up photograph of holiday decorations on display in the Red Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. In the Red Room, handmade ornaments and felt-crafted scenes honored the service of America’s first responders and frontline workers. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph was taken on September 21, 2001 as staff members gathered on the South Lawn wave American flags as President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush depart onboard Marine One for Camp David. For many Americans, the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 was a time of great patriotism and national unity. The period saw a dramatic increase in the public display of American flags and other patriotic symbols.

This presidential flag was a new design ordered from Arthur E. DuBois and George M. Elsey by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was a sample submitted for President Harry Truman's approval in August 1945. This flag was first publicly flown on October 27, 1945 when the aircraft carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt was commissioned at Brooklyn Navy Yard. The flag presently remains the same except for the addition of two stars to represent Alaska and Hawaii. Although this is the flag of the president's arms, since it lacks the words around the edge, the flag is not a representation of the official Seal of the President. This photograph was taken by William Phillips.

This painting of American flags on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is by one of the most prominent American Impressionists of the early 20th century, Frederick Childe Hassam (known to many as Childe Hassam). The painting depicts both flags hanging on Fifth Avenue as well as reflections of the flags in water following a rainstorm. The Avenue in the Rain is one of 30 flag paintings of his that coincided with World War I. Fifth Avenue in New York City was frequently decorated with American flags at the time, as the United States debated entry into the war. This piece was completed in February of 1917, barely two months before Congress declared war on Germany on April 6th. Six Hassam pieces are in the White House Collection.

This watercolor is by Edward C. Kuhn, an artist who worked for the U.S. Army. Kuhn did a series of six watercolors depicting the evolution of the President's Flag (also known as the President's Standard). All six are a part of the White House Collection including this one of a soldier waving the May 29, 1916 version.

This watercolor is by Edward C. Kuhn, an artist who worked for the U.S. Army. Kuhn did a series of six watercolors depicting the evolution of the President's Flag (also known as the President's Standard). All six are a part of the White House Collection including this one of a soldier waving the July 24, 1912 version.

This watercolor is by Edward C. Kuhn, an artist who worked for the U.S. Army. Kuhn did a series of six watercolors depicting the evolution of the President's Flag (also known as the President's Standard). All six are a part of the White House Collection including this one of a soldier waving the 1902 version.

This landscape of Washington, D.C. by Hudson River School artist Albert Bierstadt features the South Lawn with a vast, low-lying field beyond. Tiber Creek and the Potomac River, along with Long Bridge, push towards the horizon in the background. Standing prominently in the painting are a fountain and flag pole with the American flag raised at full mast, in a slight breeze, just right of center and extending nearly the height of the canvas. The fountain was from 1858 and was the first of its kind installed on the White House Grounds. It featured two tiers with sea serpents entwined around the fountain's shaft. The fountain was removed in 1869, the water jets having never worked properly. Bierstadt was renowned for his depictions of the American West and documenting Westward Expansion in the late 19th century. There are six pieces by Bierstadt in the White House Collection.

This watercolor is by Edward C. Kuhn, an artist who worked for the U.S. Army. Kuhn did a series of six watercolors depicting the evolution of the President's Flag (also known as the President's Standard). All six are a part of the White House Collection including this one of a soldier waving the March 28, 1898 version.

This Chinese export pitcher, featuring a patriotic motif and the United States motto E Pluribus Unum, was made in the early 19th century. It was displayed in the White House Green Room. The photograph was taken by Joseph Scherschel of the National Geographic Service.

This drawing is by Frederick Childe Hassam (often referred to as Childe Hassam), an artist usually known for his American Impressionist paintings. The drawing is a loose sketch of the South Lawn and South Portico of the White House. Both the West Wing and East Wing are obscured by trees. Hassam drew on a piece of stationary or letterhead with "The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C." printed in script. Six Hassam pieces are in the White House Collection.

This watercolor is by Edward C. Kuhn, an artist who worked for the U.S. Army. Kuhn did a series of six watercolors depicting the evolution of the President's Flag (also known as the President's Standard). All six are a part of the White House Collection including this one of a soldier waving the 1882 version.

This watercolor is by Edward C. Kuhn, an artist who worked for the U.S. Army. Kuhn did a series of six watercolors depicting the evolution of the President's Flag (also known as the President's Standard). All six are a part of the White House Collection including this one of a soldier waving the 1902 version.

This seascape of the three-masted ship, or barque, Nonpareil was done by Raffaele Corsini, an Italian painter known for depicting ships and marine scenery. The Nonpareil flies an American flag bearing 28 stars and is shown sailing into the port of Smyrna. "Nonpareil," a French term meaning "unrivaled," is also printed on the middle (and highest) flag.

This painting of the harbor at Canton, perhaps the province or city in southern China, was done by an unknown artist around 1847-1856. The bustling port is full of ships and cargo, with a building flying American and French flags, among others, shown on the right side.