WHAT IS THE HISTORICAL REASON FOR REMOVING YOUR HAT
The reason why you have to take off your hat is to show a sign of respect. Back in the “old days”, knights wearing helmets that covered their heads would lift their visors to identify themselves, as a sign of friendliness and respect. Knights who failed to do so had to suffer consequences that were fatal. Fast forward through history and the removal of hats or anything on your head is still firmly viewed as a sign of respect. We take off our hats when entering someone’s home, when we sit down to eat, and when we are in our classrooms, simply because it is respectful. It has even gone so far as to be a law in the United States to remove your hat during the national anthem. Title 4 United States Code says:
“I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO
REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL”, SHOULD BE RENDERED BY STANDING AT
ATTENTION FACING THE FLAG WITH THE RIGHT HAND OVER THE HEART. WHEN
NOT IN UNIFORM MEN SHOULD REMOVE ANY HEADDRESS. PERSONS IN
UNIFORM SHOULD REMAIN SILENT, FACE THE FLAG AND SALUTE.
There is no penalty if you fail to do this. Meaning you can’t get arrested or thrown into jail if you don’t do this, but its still a law.
So the next time you go to church, or walk into your next classroom, or the next time the national anthem is playing, remember to take off your hat. It’s a sign of respect, and not doing so would be flat out rude.