The flag is a familiar part of everyday American life. People wave it at parades to celebrate that they are Americans. It hangs in classrooms, courtrooms, and many places of worship to honor the countrys history and heroes. Americans proudly salute it at ballgames and public events. It flies over the U.S. Capitol, the White House, and most government buildings to represent the U.S. government -- a government in which the people choose their own leaders.