When the Flag Is Lowered to Half Staff
The U.S. flag is lowered to half staff by order of the President, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia to mark deaths of prominent officials, national tragedies, or major disasters. Under federal law and executive orders, the flag is first raised to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half staff position, and before being taken down for the day it is raised to the peak again. The White House issues formal proclamations that specify the start and end dates, and agencies, military installations, and federal buildings follow those timelines precisely, as outlined on official government guidance pages whitehouse.gov.
Presidential proclamations often call for half staff for a set number of days following the death of a current or former official, a Supreme Court justice, a member of Congress, or a recognized public figure. State governors can issue similar orders for in-state officials or local tragedies, and many municipalities follow those directives for public buildings and schools. The exact dates and durations are published in Federal Register notices and state executive orders, and organizations track these orders to ensure compliance with flag display rules.
Who Orders the Flag to Half Staff and for Whom
The President has authority to order the flag to half staff on all federal buildings and grounds, and this power is used most often after the death of a President, former President, Vice President, or other high ranking federal official. By custom and law, the flag is also lowered for a set period after the death of a Supreme Court justice, a member of Congress, or a recognized national figure, with the duration specified in each proclamation or order.
State governors can order the flag to half staff for state officials, public safety officers, or victims of major disasters within their state, and many state codes define specific positions and durations for these orders. For example, state directives often require all state offices, public schools, and military installations to lower the flag on the day of the order and for the number of days stated in the proclamation, and agencies typically publish compliance guidance alongside the order text usa.gov/flag.
How to Lower the Flag Correctly and Key Practical Steps
To lower the flag to half staff, raise it briskly to the top of the staff first, then lower it slowly to the half staff position, which is the midpoint between the top and bottom of the staff. When the flag is taken down at the end of the day, raise it again to the peak before lowering it completely, and ensure the flag is illuminated if it remains displayed overnight during a half staff period.
Organizations that manage large numbers of flags, including government agencies, military bases, and corporate campuses, often use standardized procedures and checklists to ensure every flagpole follows the correct sequence. Training materials, posted guidelines, and internal memos reference the official proclamation or order number, the start and end dates, and the exact half staff position so staff can act quickly and consistently. For companies and institutions that fly flags at multiple locations, centralized tracking of presidential and state orders helps ensure every site follows the same timeline and procedure forbes.com.
Half Staff Dates, Federal Holidays, and Observances
Several recurring federal observances call for the flag to be flown at half staff, including Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, when the flag is displayed at half staff for the entire day unless that day is Armed Forces Day, and Patriot Day, September 11, when the flag is lowered to remember the victims of the 2001 attacks. Other fixed observances include Memorial Day, when the flag is at half staff until noon