WHEN SHOULD THE FLAG BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF
Peace Officers Memorial Day - May 15th (Sunrise to Sunset)
- In 1962 the date of May 15th was designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day. "In honor of the federal,state, and municipal officers who have been killed or disable in the line of duty. On this day the flag should be flown at half-staff for the full day, unless May 15th happens to also be the Third Saturday in May, ARMED FORCES DAY. In the rare occurrences, when both holiday fall at the same date, the flag should be flown at the peak.
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May (Sunrise to Noon)
- On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon and raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset. This unique custom honors the war dead for the morning and, living veterans for the rest of the day.
Patriot Day - September 11th (Sunrise to Sunset)
- Patriot day has been added to the flag holiday listed in section 174 of the US Flag code. On December 18,2001, President Bush signed Public Law No: 107-89, designating September 11th as Patriot Day. State and local governments and the people of the United states are asked to observed Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities to honor the individuals who lost their lives as result of the terrorist attack on that date in 2001.
National Firefighter Memorial Day - Typically a Sunday during Fire Prevention Week which is around October 9th. (Sunrise to Sunset)
- On October 16, 2001 President George W.Bush approved legislation requiring the American flag to be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters. Public Law 107-51 requires this action to occur annually in conjunction with observation of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - December 7th (Sunrise to Sunset)
- The flag should be flown at half-staff to honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Following the death of certain government officials, flags are lowered to fly at half-staff.
In the early days of our country, no regulations existed for flying the flag at half-staff and, as a result, there were many conflicting policies. But on March 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower issued a proclamation on the proper times.
- Following the death of President or Former President for 30 days.
- Following the death of Vice president, The Chief Justice or a Retired Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the Speaker of The House of Representatives for 10 days.
- Following the death of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former Vice President, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Majority Leader of the House Representative or the Minority Leader of the House of Representative, Secretary of an executive or military department, or the Governor of a State from the day of death until interment.
- Following the death of a Member of Congress for the day of death and the following day.
The President may order the flag to be flown at half-staff to mark the death of other officials, former officials, or foreign dignitaries. In addition to these occasions, the president may order half-staff display after other tragic events.