“This Flag Dips to No Earthly King”: The Legacy of the American Flag at the Olympics
The 1908 Opening Ceremony That Changed Everything
At the 1908 London Olympics, the U.S. flag bearer was Ralph Rose, a powerful Irish‑American shot‑put champion. As Team USA paraded past King Edward VII’s royal box, Rose did not dip the American flag, breaking with international ceremony norms.
According to later legend—first printed around 1952—teammate Martin Sheridan proclaimed, “This flag dips to no earthly king”, though historians note the quote’s authenticity remains debated.
Beyond 1908
Over time, that small act grew into a tradition of refusal—sometimes inconsistent. The United States dipped again in 1912 (Stockholm) and 1924 (Paris) before formally deciding not to dip the flag starting with the 1936 Berlin Games in political protest against Nazi Germany.
In the 1940s, the tradition was codified into the official United States Flag Code, which states that the flag “should never be dipped to any person or thing,” making it U.S. federal policy.
How the Dipping Tradition Differs Around the World
While the U.S. flag stands tall and undipped, many other nations still follow the traditional practice of dipping their flags during the Olympic opening ceremony to honor the host country. This act is generally considered a sign of goodwill and international camaraderie—but for Americans, the refusal to dip is a conscious expression of national identity and is not thought of as disrespecting the host country.
Countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Canada all dip their flags, often without debate. In contrast, the U.S. position has sparked both admiration and criticism over the years. Some international observers interpret it as prideful or aloof, but to many Americans, it’s a deeply patriotic stance rooted in history.
Why This Story Still Resonates With Americans Today
The video we posted gained viral attraction for a reason. Whether or not the famous quote “This flag dips to no earthly king” was ever truly spoken, the sentiment has endured because it speaks to a core American belief: we bow to no one.
That belief is part of why our American flags matter so much to us and our customers. They’re not just products—they’re very meaningful to us and evidently a lot of people!
Every time someone hangs a flag on their porch or sees Team USA walk into an Olympic stadium, that quiet, proud refusal lives on.
So when we make flags, we’re not just trying to make a buck. We’re saying that being American is something worth being proud about. Stand tall and bow to nobody!
Our Take as a Flag Company
When we made a video about this, and posted it on our social media, people went crazy for it. There is a lot of American pride out there and the idea of not dipping the flag fits right in with the American ethos that we still see today.
Today, during Olympic opening ceremonies, Team USA’s flag is proudly held fully upright, never lowered—a visual symbol of independence. While most other nations still conform to the dipping tradition (though not all), the U.S. stands alone in its resolute refusal.
Want More Flags?
As American flag makers, we aren’t just producing fabric—We are making quality American made flags that last because we are proud to be American.
You can explore our collection of classic American flags, and carry forward the tradition that began in 1908 and if you want to learn more about the flag, take a look at our Flag resources for more information!
References
- Ralph Rose’s refusal in 1908 and associated legend around Sheridan’s quote (Wikipedia)
- U.S. flag dipped inconsistently through 1920s, then formalized tradition in 1936, codified by law in 1942 (GBH, The World from PRX, CRW Flags, Isoh, Wikipedia)
- Flag Code language: “should never be dipped to any person or thing” (Wikipedia)