Are U.S. flags at half-staff today?
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In this article:
- The First "Recorded" Half-staff
- What is the Meaning/Definition of Half-staff
- Is it supposed to be called "half-staff" or "half-mast?"
- How do I properly lower my flag to half-staff?
- What if I am unable to lower my flag to half-staff.
- Where is half-staff on my flagpole?
- Who can order the flags to half-staff?
- Can a governor order the flags to half-staff?
- Is the president required to order flags to half-staff?
- Why are there sometimes mixed messages about half-staff observations?
- What are the standing half-staff observation dates?
- Is the flag code enforceable?
- Who regulates half-staff?
- Do I have to fly my flag at half-staff?
- How long after a death should the flag be at half-staff?
- Which companies sell half-staff flags?
- Is there such a thing as a half-staff holder?
- Is there a pole that will automatically lower my flag to half-staff?
- Is there a half-staff symbol or insignia?
- How to Receive Half-staff Notifications
The First "Recorded" Half-staff
Flying a flag at half-staff (also sometimes referred to as "half-staffing") refers to the repositioning of a flag on a flagpole to a point lower than the position it is usually flown from, though it may not always be exactly halfway down a flagpole.
There are many, many sources that allege that the oldest known instance of anyone flying a flag at half-mast was in 1612, on the British ship Heart's Ease. Every version of the story is slightly different to the next, and the details are sketchy, but a loose-reconstruction of the tale goes like this:
In 1612, a ship named Heart's Ease had taken part in a trade-related expedition in search of the highly sought-after Northwest Passage. While on this trip, the ship's captain (possibly Captain Thomas Hall... ???) suffered a mortal injury during a conflict with indigenous people in either Canada or Greenland. When the captain died, the ship's crew collectively decided that, to symbolize their mourning, they would fly the ship's colors at half-mast on the return route.
Before anyone emails us to highlight the plethora of valid questions regarding the many missing or questionable details of that story, allow us to note that, as of this writing and despite our efforts to uncover them, we have not found a single scholarly reference (or any article citing a scholarly reference) of the Heart's Ease event which includes details and/or confirmation of the story - what we have been able to find are scores of recently written portrayals from what appears to be a similar, but limited oral history.
We have, though, found peer-reviewed confirmation of the existence of a ship named Heart's Ease that was owned by a British trading company in 1612, so... there's a chance?
Half-staff Meaning
So what does it mean to fly a flag at half-staff?
Whether or not the story of Heart's Ease is the first half-mast event, or even historically accurate, and whether or not that's the origin of the half-staff traditions we hold today, flying a flag at half-staff in modern times does broadly symbolize that the flag bearer is in a period of mourning. This can range in scope from an individual person in mourning, a whole nation of people in mourning in solidarity with one another, or multiple nations of people mourning concurrently.
The folklore seems to substantiate the commonly accepted symbolism as well. According to most accounts, early half-staffing saw flags lowered just far enough to make room for a "phantom flag" or an invisible "flag of death" at the peak of the pole. This seems to be the most prevalent oral history, from naval stories to inland battlefield accounts and imagery. Furthermore, it seems to be reinforced by current standards for flying flags at half-staff, at least in many European countries. There, some nations' half-staffing principles call for the flag to be lowered by a measurement equal to the hoist end of the top-most flag on the pole... in other words, leaving enough room for an invisible flag above the visible flags.
An account of the rules for every nation has been collected on this Wikipedia page >>>
Is it Called "Half-staff" or "Half-mast?"
Both!
Strictly speaking, though, "half-mast" refers to the position of flags flown from the mast of a ship (docked or at sea), and "half-staff" refers to the position of flags flown from a staff on land. As time has passed, the two terms have come to be used more and more interchangeably.
How do I Properly Lower the Flag to Half-staff
In the United States the flag is lowered to half-staff by first briskly raising the flag to its peak before lowering it to its half-staff position. When the observation ends, the flag will then be raised to its peak.
In the United States, the term half-staff refers to the position of the flag when it is one half the distance between the top and bottom of the pole. This, of course, is according to the U.S. Flag Code.
In the United States, the flag code also stipulates that no other flags shall be flown above the U.S. flag. Other flags that share a pole with the U.S. flag, or that are on poles adjacent to a U.S. flag, should be lowered to a position that is visibly lower than the U.S. flag.
What if I Can't Fly My Flag at Half-staff?
Some flags are in fixed positions and cannot be lowered to half-staff. While the U.S. Flag Code does not directly address this, a tradition has emerged in the United States at the urging of the American Legion: It is fitting to affix a black mourning ribbon to the top corner of the hoist end for the duration of the half-staff period. Some tie the ribbon in a bow, while others let the streamer hang straight down - either is appropriate.
Where is Half-staff on a Flagpole?
In the United States, the half-staff position is defined by the U.S. Flag Code as the position of the flag when it is one half the distance between the top and bottom of the pole.
In other countries, this might not be the case. For example, in some European countries, "half-staff" refers to a position not lower than one-third the height of the pole, but at least one length of the hoist end of the flag (presumably, this is an acknowledgement of some of the half-mast lore).
Who Orders the Flag to Half-staff?
At the national level, the sitting President of the United States may order the flags to half-staff on federal property within the U.S. or on U.S. sea vessels, as well as at U.S. embassies around the world. A directive of this type is typically issued as a proclamation or an executive order.
The duration of the observation is also set by the President, though the U.S. Flag Code does offer some suggestions of appropriate timelines to mourn the passing of persons who served in specific positions within the U.S. government (see below: How Long After Death Are Flags at Half-staff?).
Can a State Governor Order the flag to Half-staff?
Who Orders Half-staff in a State?
Yes.
A sitting governor of a U.S. state may order the national flag to half-staff to mourn the passing of a person who was important to the state. When this occurs, such an order would apply only to flags flown on federal and state grounds or federal and state buildings within the bounds of the governor's jurisdiction.
Additionally, any official presiding over a smaller municipality may also order the flags to half-staff on federal, state, or municipal property within the bounds of their jurisdiction.
Is a president required to issue a proclamation?
Do I have to wait for a proclamation?
The president is only required to issue a proclamation on two occasions, and no you do not have to wait. The U.S. Flag Code itself does not specifically compel the president to issue a half-staff order or to comply with the guidelines therein.
There are, however, other laws that do compel the president to issue half-staff orders (namely, those laws regarding Memorial Day and Peace Officer's Memorial Day), but these laws are intentionally written separately from the U.S. Flag Code.
In any case, a private citizen or business owner does not need to wait for a proclamation to fly their flag at half-staff.
Why are There Mixed Messages Between Governors and the President?
Occasionally, one official will believe that a situation calls for a half-staff period while another official does not. Other times, one official will delay issuing a proclamation in order to gather information or details, while different public official will choose not to.
In all cases, it is up to the discretion of each official whether or not to issue half-staff directives within the bounds of their jurisdiction.
Private citizens and business owners are not beholden to such orders or their duration, and may lower their flags to half-staff at their own discretion.
What are the Standing Half-staff Observations?
There are a few dates that have been codified as permanent, annual half-staff observations with specific requirements. Observation of other dates is left to the discretion of national, state, or local leaders. Standing national dates can be found in our complete Flag Flying Holidays Guide here.
Is the U.S. Flag Code Enforceable?
No, but...
To begin with, it is not mandatory for public officials to order flags to half-staff on most occasions, and when officials do order the flags to half-staff it is considered "advisory" to private citizens and business owners.
There are no penalties for failure or refusal to comply with the United States Flag Code. Private citizens and business owners are free to use their flags as they see fit.
However, a note for clarity: operators of federal, state, or municipal buildings and facilities within the jurisdiction of whomever issues a half-staff order could potentially be at risk of violating other rules or laws that do come with penalties if they fail to comply with a half-staff directive.
The explicit phrase suggested for use in the U.S. Flag Code is that the flag "shall be flown," indicating that an order is a binding directive for all those under its authority - violating or ignoring a binding directive could be met with penalties under separate guidelines (e.g., insubordination or similar) that may potentially incur their own consequences.
Who Regulates Half-staff
An official regulatory body that governs half-staff protocols, orders, or compliance in the United States does not exist. The president of the United States may issue a proclamation or executive order declaring a half-staff period or new half-staff protocols that augment existing ones (provided they don't break any laws). Likewise, governors of states and leaders of municipalities may issue half-staff observations within the bounds of their jurisdictions. Private citizens and business owners are not required to comply with half-staff orders.
Do I Have to Fly My Flag at Half-staff?
Not if you are a private citizen or a business owner.
Half-staff orders are treated as advisory to the public. Furthermore, any private citizen can fly their flag at half-staff for as long as they wish and no one is required to wait for a government official to issue a half-staff directive.
How Long After a Death Are Flags at Half-staff?
For private citizens and business owners, this is left to the discretion of the flag owner. The U.S. Flag Code does offer suggested mourning periods for the passing of persons who served in specific positions of government, to which an elected official might or might not adhere. Those are:
"... The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or a former President; ten days from the day of death of the Vice-President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice-President, or the Governor of a state, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress..."
What Companies Sell Durable Outdoor Flags That Are Appropriate for Half-staff Display?
Are there flags designed for half-staff display?
We do, for one. Those flags are available here.
Any company that sells 100% American-made United States flags and which is an active member of the Flag Manufacturers Association of America will be able to provide U.S. flags that meet the most stringent specifications regarding quality, materials, and manufacturing. These flags will include specific fabrics, specific dyes, fully sewn stripes, embroidered stars, the strongest available stitching in the hems, and - of course - American labor. These are the only flags we recommend for half-staff display.
Is there a half-staff-flag holder?
No. For bracket-mounted (house-mounted) poles, the appropriate action is to affix a black mourning ribbon to the flag (see above: What if I Can't Fly My Flag at Half-staff?).
Some mounting brackets for house-mounted poles do come with an option to reposition the flag in order to avoid obstacles or to accommodate a banner. Our adjustable brackets are the most versatile and popular option, but this is not an equivalent to half-staff.
Can I buy a flagpole that automatically lowers my flag to half-staff?
No. As of this writing there are no manufacturers in the United States that offer a ground-set flagpole designed to automatically lower a flag to half-staff.
Is there a half-staff symbol or insignia?
No: the position of the flag at half-staff is the symbol. In the U.S. Flag Code, covering or augmenting the flag in such a way is discouraged.
How can I receive notifications to fly my flag at half-staff?
LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave® follows the half-staff notifications of the White House. When we receive these notices, we immediately republish the information to our blog and notify our audience via email.
If you would like to join the list for those half-staff notifications, complete the form at the bottom of any page of our website (scroll down).
Do You Have Photos of Your Flag(s) at Half-staff or Half-mast?
Send us your photos of American flags, flagpoles, ropes, or other accessories! We would be honored to feature your photography in our blog or on Facebook. Remember, photos of damaged flags and accessories are valuable, too.
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Have a great day, from your friends at LIBERTY FLAGS, The American Wave®.
