You might have heard about presidents ordering American flags flown at half-staff on all federal properties to acknowledge certain holidays or world events, but do you know why the practice is in effect?
Here’s everything you need to know about how American flags are displayed in the United States, according to the Unites States Flag Code.
Why are flags flown?
The display of flags at their peak is generally a symbol of justice and freedom in the country. Flying at half-staff is typically done to celebrate certain holidays, honor notable individuals who have died, or acknowledge current events in an act of respect, distress or mourning.
Basic flag etiquette
According to the U.S. Flag Code the follow rules are implemented when flying American flags:
- It is a universal custom to display flags only from sunrise to sunset on stationary flagstaffs in the open or on buildings. If a “patriotic effect” is desired, flags may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated at night.
- The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
- The flag should not be displayed on days of inclement weather unless an all-weather flag is used.
- Flags should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
- The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days
- The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.
American flags are on display on all days, especially on nationally recognized holidays, the birthdays of states and on state holidays and any other days proclaimed by the president.
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Etiquette for flags at half-staff
While some countries use the term half-mast to describe the partial raising of flags on land, the U.S. only uses the phrase to describe flags on ships. Half-staff is used to describe partially raised flags on land.
When displayed at half-staff, flags are positioned one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff after being raised to the peak of the staff for an instant.
Why are flags lowered to half-staff?
Flags are lowered to half-staff for several commemorative days, including:
- Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, unless it is also Armed Forces Day
- Memorial Day on the last Monday in May. The flag is at half-staff from sunrise to noon, when it is raised to peak again.
- National Firefighters Memorial Day, which is usually on Sunday during Fire Prevention Week
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on Dec. 7.
Duration of flags lowered to half-staff
Aside from those calendar occasions, flags are lowered upon the death of principal figures in the U.S. government and the government of a state, territory or possession as a mark of respect to their memory.
Flags remain at half-staff for these durations:
- 30 days from the death of a president or former president.
- 10 days from the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice or the speaker of the House of Representatives
- From the day of death until the burial of an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president and the governor of a state, territory or possession.
- On the day of death, and the day after, of a member of Congress.
Flags also are lowered to acknowledge tragic events, or the death of other officials and foreign dignitaries. The duration of flags remaining at half-staff in these instances is instructed by presidential proclamations, according to the U.S. Flag Code.
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How is a half-staffing mandated?
The president is the only one who can issue a proclamation for the entire country and U.S. embassies to comply with a half-staffing.
State governors instruct when flags are flown at half-staff for government offices in the state, and the mayor of the District of Columbia can instruct flags to be flown at half-staff for the death of a member of the armed forces from the area or for prominent or former members of the District of Columbia.
What was the most recent half-staffing proclamation?
On Monday, March 27, President Joe Biden ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House, upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in D.C. and throughout the U.S. and its territories to honor the victims of the mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, that day. Three children and three staff members died in the incident.
The flag will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Friday, March 31.
Flags at all U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad — including military facilities and naval vessels and stations — are ordered to follow suit.
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