yes! most people put their hand over there heart when they sing a national anthem but its not against the law if you don't!
Usually you do put your hand over your heart for the pledge of allegiance.
Nationalism - pride in one's country
If you are an American, during the playing of the National Anthem, you should stand, face the flag, and place your right hand over your heart. Veterans and members of the military MAY render the hand salute instead if they wish. If you are not an American (or if an American, but present at the playing of some OTHER country's national anthem) you should stand, stay respectfully quiet, but do not place hand on heart.
If you are saying the Pledge of Allegiance or singing the National Anthem, you put your hand over heart. That's the only time I've done it, but the flag should be in sight when doing so.
Yes, Barack Obama says the Pledge of Allegiance often, since the US Senate starts every session with the Pledge. There is a YouTube video showing Obama leading the Senate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance (with his hand to his heart), and there are pictures showing Obama holding his hand to his heart for the Pledge on other occasions. This confusion was the result of a picture showing Obama standing without his hand to his heart, next to two other candidates who are holding their hands to their heart. But the photo's caption is incorrect, they are not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, but rather standing for the National Anthem (which can be verified by watching a YouTube video of the event). This was during an informal, outdoor event for Democratic candidates. Although protocol suggests that the hand should be held to the heart during the National Anthem, observing any sporting event will show that only some Americans do so. But regardless of hand placement, most Americans stand respectfully during the National Anthem, which is what Obama was doing in that photograph. When his aides were asked about this, they replied that sometimes Obama puts his hand to his heart during the Anthem, and other times he does not.
Come to attention. If you are a civilian, remove your hat and place it over your heart. If you do not have a hat, place your hand over your heart. Military personnel, those in uniform and veterans come to attention and salute during the National Anthem.
You put your hand on your heart because it symbolizes you trust and love America.
If you are an American, during the playing of the National Anthem, you should stand, face the flag, and place your right hand over your heart. Veterans and members of the military MAY render the hand salute instead if they wish. If you are not an American (or if an American, but present at the playing of some OTHER country's national anthem) you should stand, stay respectfully quiet, but do not place hand on heart.
"The President stood patriotically with his hand over his heart , when the National Anthem was played."
Yes and no. Before 9/11, most people simply stood at attention for the anthem (look at any video of fans at a sports event). But after 9/11, many people began treating the anthem the same way they treat the salute for the flag: by placing the right hand over the heart. This, however is a custom and not a rule.
This is another of those internet myths, that tries to show the president doesn't love America. But the myth is actually based on a common misunderstanding. Not everyone puts their hand on their heart during the National Anthem-- it's a song, and there is no rule about it. The rule has always been to salute the flag by putting your hand on your heart. But as for the anthem, customs vary: if you look at video from any baseball game, you won't see everyone with their hand on their heart when the anthem is playing. People stand, and some try to sing along; some military people might salute, but again, there is no official rule. As for the basis of the internet myth, it happened in 2007, when there was a photo taken in Iowa that showed Mr. Obama and some other people just listening to the anthem and not putting their hand on their heart; his political opponents claimed they were offended, and that morphed into a myth that he never salutes the flag-- which is totally and provably false. But these days, most politicians now put hand on heart even during the anthem, so people won't accuse them of being unpatriotic.
First written by an American, edited by a Canadian: As with any country's national anthem, standing and taking your hat off is appropriate. This is a simple and respectful gesture for ANY national anthem or flag. You are not required to salute or make any similar gesture, but a simple respectful acknowledgment is part of being polite to citizens of other nations. For citizens of most nations, the etiquette for the national anthem is to stand, salute (if in uniform), place your hand over your heart (if civilian), or similar. It is unnecessary to place your hand over your heart in Canada but the rest is appropriate as well. It is also rather inappropriate to do anything but these things when the anthem is played officially. It is regarded as rude in some countries to sing along with the national anthem but in Canada it is not and contrarily, in elementary schools it often necessary to sing along the anthem so that children will memorize the words.
If you are saying the Pledge of Allegiance or singing the National Anthem, you put your hand over heart. That's the only time I've done it, but the flag should be in sight when doing so.
It is a tradition to show respect for the flag.
Yes, Barack Obama says the Pledge of Allegiance often, since the US Senate starts every session with the Pledge. There is a YouTube video showing Obama leading the Senate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance (with his hand to his heart), and there are pictures showing Obama holding his hand to his heart for the Pledge on other occasions. This confusion was the result of a picture showing Obama standing without his hand to his heart, next to two other candidates who are holding their hands to their heart. But the photo's caption is incorrect, they are not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, but rather standing for the National Anthem (which can be verified by watching a YouTube video of the event). This was during an informal, outdoor event for Democratic candidates. Although protocol suggests that the hand should be held to the heart during the National Anthem, observing any sporting event will show that only some Americans do so. But regardless of hand placement, most Americans stand respectfully during the National Anthem, which is what Obama was doing in that photograph. When his aides were asked about this, they replied that sometimes Obama puts his hand to his heart during the Anthem, and other times he does not.
Stand up, put your hand over your heart, and take off your hat if you are wearing one.
look at am American flag put right hand over your heart take off hats
No matter whose national anthem is being played, respect should be shown, by standing up. Americans tend to place their right hand over their heart. British usually keep their hands at their side.
They stand, face the American flag, remove their hats, place their right hand over their heart, stand reverent, and some sing along.