I went to the finest public schools that Colorado has to offer and not once did any teacher tell us to put our hands over our hearts for the National Anthem; we were told to take off our hats. I understand the concept of holding your hand over your heart to take a pledge - and to put your hand on the bible to swear an oath. Where did it originate that one should place a hand over their heart for an anthem? Has anyone gone to a sporting event lately? There’s only less than half the people, I see, putting their hands over their hearts during the anthem - but some 80% certainly do take off their hats... (Irrespectively of B-HO, who has no couth anyway.)
United States Code, 36 U.S.C. § 301, states that during a rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart; Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present and not in uniform may render the military salute; men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed. The national anthem is also played on U.S. military installations at the beginning of the duty day (0600) and at the end of duty day (1700). Military law requires all vehicles on the installation to stop when the song is played and all individuals outside to stand at attention and face the direction of the music and either salute, in uniform, or place the right hand over the heart, if out of uniform. Recently enacted law in 2008 allows military veterans to salute out of uniform, as well.[16][17]Of course, the statute does not specifically mention the finest public schools in Colorado.However, this statutory suggestion does not have any penalty associated with violations. 36 U.S.C. § 301 Moreover, generations of students who were introduced to flag etiquette prior to its enactment in 1998 were taught that the hand over the heart gesture was exclusively for the Pledge of Allegiance which has had the statutory requirement for much longer.(4 U.S.C. § 4)[citation needed] This behavioral requirement for the national anthem is subject to the same First Amendment controversies that surround the Pledge.[18] For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not required to stand for or sing the national anthem.[19][20][21]