- Joined
- Dec 4, 2004
The hand over the heart came later. If you look up the flag code, it has been changed 20 times....we always in the US put our hand over our hearts for the Pledge but not the Banner. I am thinking the last change in 2017 added that.
- United States:
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The U.S. Flag Code mandates that when addressing the flag, during the Pledge of Allegiance or national anthem, the right hand should be placed over the heart. This practice is rooted in the historical Bellamy Salute, which was a form of salute that was modified to the current gesture. - Interestingly, in 2017, China was trying to stop the gesture by its own young people.
"China’s football team has sowed controversy but not for its on-pitch antics but rather a gesture meant to show national pride. The players are under the spotlight for putting their right hands over their hearts at the beginning of matches, while the Chinese national anthem is on.
“Young people always put their right hands over their hearts under the national anthem, especially certain sports players. But it is not acceptable as this is an act originated from America in 1942. Americans do this to salute the US.” said Chen Guoling, member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. Chen called for a ban on placing a hand over the heart while the national anthem is played, as lawmakers recently deliberated a draft law on China’s national anthem. "
