Only the president of the united states or the governor of the state may order the flag to be at halfstaff to honor the death of a national or state figure. It prints best on legal sized paper but can be scaled for. Fly the united states flag at halfstaff on wednesday, may 15, 2019 in honor of peace officers memorial day. When the us flag is at half mast, should other flags state, city, company be flown at half mast. Us flags at half staff honoring ohn david dingell, jr.
Answers to questions about the rules concerning the display of the flag at halfstaff. The state flag shall be flown at half staff whenever the national flag is flown at half staff. The united states flag code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag of the united states. American flag etiquette rules on displaying, folding, and. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any state. The flag may be flown at halfstaff to honor a newly deceased federal or state government. Flag code, signed in march 1954 by president dwight eisenhower, provides guidelines for the process and duration. The length of time an american flag is flown at half mast depends on the importance of the event or rank of the deceased government official or service member being honored. When the flag of the united states is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at halfstaff. Flag code allows state governors to order that public buildings fly flags at halfmast to honor fallen military personnel from that state during wartime. Get the new half staff american flag widget for your blog or website today. Half staff we provide an email alert service of when to fly your american flag at half mast. The flag of the united states will be flown at halfstaff whether or not the flag of another. In united states, this refers officially only to flags flown on ships, with halfstaff used on land.
When raising the american flag to half staff on a vertical pole, always raise it briskly to the top of the flagpole for a moment. In other countries and places, local etiquette applies. The united states flag flies at half staff or half mast when the nation or a state is in mourning. The composition consisting of the words and music known as the starspangled banner is the national anthem. The flag is flown at halfstaff by order of the president upon the death of principal figures of the united states government and the governor of a state, territory, or possession.
Residential flag displays follow the same rules as public displays. When the us flag is at halfstaff, do other foreign flags fly at fullstaff. The national and state flags shall be flown at halfstaff for thirty days from. Federal law relating to display and associated questions. Most half staff days suggest that the american flag is at half staff from sunrise until sunset on the days of the order. Many of our readers ask about american flag etiquette and the u. The flag, when flown at half staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half staff position. Other flags, however, may not exceed the size of the u. Flag manual the starspangled banner the national anthem of the united states by act of congress, march 3, 1931 oh, say, can you see, by the dawns early light, whose broad stripes and.
United states flag code liberty flags, the american wave. Governor roy cooper today ordered all united states and north carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered immediately to halfstaff beginning monday, january, 2020, in honor of us staff sgt. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending. American flag etiquette rules on displaying, folding. Jul 01, 2019 on memorial day, the flag code dictates that your flag should be displayed at halfstaff until noonafter that time, the flag should be raised to the top of the staff, according to a 2008. Honor the flag how to properly display the american flag. It is section 1 of title 4 of the united states code 4 u. Eisenhower, president of the united states of america and commander in chief of the armed forces of the united states, do hereby prescribe and proclaim the following rules with respect to the display of the flag of the united states of america at halfstaff upon the death of the officials hereinafter designated. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the united states or to the united states flags right. Lowering of us and nc flags to half staff in honor of two fort bragg paratroopers killed in afghanistan. The flag of the united states of america, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flags own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
The term half mast should only be used when referencing a u. Oratory church of st aloysius gonzaga, oxford, with the flag of the holy see flying at half mast the day after the death of pope john paul ii. Flying the flag at halfstaff the term halfstaff refers to the position of a flag halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible.
Flying the american flag at halfmast is a sign of respect for deceased officials, dignitaries and heroes. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, contains rules for handling and displaying. Flag etiquette american flag etiquette flag etiquette the flag of the united states of america nothing evokes such strong emotion as seeing the flag, either a ceremony honoring a great event or draped over a coffin as a sign of mourning for a hero or loved one. No federal restrictions or court decisions are presently in effect to enforce the flag code. The flag is to be flown at halfstaff for thirty days in mourning for the death of the current or former president of the united states. When lowering the flag for the evening, first raise the flag to the top of the staff before slowly lowering the flag.
Federal law relating to display and associated questions congressional research service 1 background public concern and confusion regarding the proper respect shown to the united states flag has given rise to many questions on the law relating to the flags handling, display, and use. In many countries this is seen as a symbol of respect, mourning, distress, or, in some cases, a salute. Flag etiquette rules and regulations us flag supply. President or former president of the united states. Its unfurled banner, which symbolizes the love and pride that we have as a nation, is a poignant reminder of americas greatness. It is not a rule to display flags lower than the american flag, it is a rule to lower the flags first, therefore assuring the american flag is never lower. The indian national flag is flown at half mast throughout the country as a mark of national mourning in the event of the. If a flag cannot be properly displayed in relation to the previous rule, then that flag should be grounded and removed from the pole or display. On the death of present and former principal officials of the federal government. Memorial day is the exception where the american flag is at half staff from sunrise until noon. The flag can be flown at half mast by order or proclamation of the president of the united states. Armed forces uniforms backwards where is the flag flown 24 hours a day by law what do the colors and gold fringe on the flag mean find answers to flag etiquette questions answers to questions about the rules concerning the display of the flag at halfstaff. Sep 11, 2001 when the flag is unfurled for display across a street, it should be hung vertically, with the stars to the north or east.
When directed by proclamation by the president of the united states, governor of any. When flown at halfstaff, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to halfstaff position. It is the universal custom to display the american flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. Fly the united states flag at half staff on saturday, december 7, 2019 in honor of national pearl harbor remembrance day 2019. The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the united states of america is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the government of the. The term half staff is commonly used to refer to half mast, although military tradition indicates that half mast is generally reserved to usage aboard a ship, where flags are typically flown from masts. Governor roy cooper today ordered all united states and north carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered immediately to half staff beginning monday, january, 2020, in honor of us staff sgt. The vessel thereby gains a special privilege under the rules and may not be impeded by ordinary vessels not entitled to a higher class of privilege. What do the colors and gold fringe on the flag mean. Mar 19, 2020 raise the flag half mast for holidays and mourning.
Halfmast and halfstaff refer to a flag flying below the summit of a ship mast, a pole on land, or a pole on a building. It is to fly 10 days at half staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the. The flag of the united states will be flown at half. The flag of the united states is the emblem of our identity as a sovereign nation, which the united. Us flags to half staff honoring george herbert walker bush. Lowering of us and nc flags to halfstaff in honor of two fort bragg paratroopers killed in afghanistan. Navigation rules provide that she may display international code flag a alpha, a swallow tailed flag with the half nearest the hoist white and the outer half blue.
Flag code perhaps the most important guideline involves how citizens should behave around the stars and stripes. When more than one flag is flown the same pole, it may be advisable to fly a smaller size flag. Guidelines for display of the flag public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, contains rules for handling and displaying the u. On june 22, 1942, congress passed a joint resolution, later amended on december 22, 1942, that encompassed what has come to be known as the u. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twentyfour hours a day. Although it does not carry the force of law, the u. The term half staff is to be used when flying our u. In addition to the traditional half staff salutes, the united states flag code mentions the use of our flag for honoring leading citizens such as martin luther king, jr. Most often, this is done to mark the death of a government. Click on the image to the right for a full size, printable, pdf file of this calendar. The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol. United states flags at half staff until sunset on december 30, 2018 in honor of george h.
When performed by naval bands, renditions not be performed by naval bands as a tribute to of hail h the chie shall be as prescribed in other dignitaries. Would you like to know when the president has ordered the flag flown at halfstaff. How to practice national flag etiquette with pictures wikihow. The national and state flags shall be flown at half staff for thirty days from the day of death over the state capitol, at state. The flag should fly at halfstaff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the united states and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president. The halfstaff calendar also provides a great means to have a more permanent reminder of annual halfstaff dates to hang in your office, kitchen, or wherever might be most convenient for you. While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. Federal law relating to display and associated questions congressional research service 1 background public concern and confusion regarding the proper respect shown to the united states flag has given rise to many questions on the law relating to. Each nation has specific days for flying the flag at half. There was some controversy in the united kingdom in 1997 following the death of. The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the united states of america is established for the use of such. Individuals should lower their flag to half mast in response to a presidential or gubernatorial proclamation or upon receiving news of the death of a president, vice president or former president or vice president.
Raise the flag as though normal, but once you have reached the peak of the staff, slowly lower the flag to half mast. Rules of flying an american flag at half mast synonym. In addition to the traditional halfstaff salutes, the united states flag code mentions the use of our flag for honoring leading citizens such as martin luther king, jr. Flags, pennants, honors, cerehlonies and customs president oftbe united states, and as such will 2. The american flag, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flags own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. United states department of defense directive 1005 united states department of defense directive 48 united states department of defense instruction 48. Relating to the north american legions site, although the a flag code according to the banner should not contact anything at all underneath that, is actually an indicator the winchester celebrity put up a banner utilized during the municipal war and printed poems and. The state flag shall be flown at halfstaff whenever the national flag is flown at halfstaff. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite.
The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which americans pledge their allegiance. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted. United states flag at halfstaff is to consider when the whole nation is in mourning. Title 36, subtitle i, part a section 301 united states code national anthem. United states flags at halfstaff friday, december 7, 2018 in honor of national. United states flags at halfstaff from sunrise until noon on monday, may 27, 2019 for memorial day. Individuals should lower their flag to halfmast in response to a presidential or gubernatorial proclamation or upon receiving news of the death of a president, vice president or former president or vice.
The president, through a presidential proclamation, a state governor, or the mayor of the district of columbia can order flags to fly at half staff. Relating to the north american legions site, although the a flag code according to the banner should not contact anything at all underneath that, is actually an indicator the winchester celebrity put up a banner utilized during the municipal war and printed poems and content articles about flag etiquette and background. Flag manual the starspangled banner the national anthem of the united states by act of congress, march 3, 1931 oh, say, can you see, by the dawns early light, whose broad stripes and bright. The national and state flags shall be flown at halfstaff for. The royal standard, the flag of the british monarch, is never flown at half mast, because there is always a living monarch.
Most englishspeaking countries use the term halfmast in all instances. Flag etiquette and rules american flag and flagpole co. The indian national flag is flown at half mast throughout the country as a mark of national mourning in the event of the death of the president or vicepresident or the. It is to fly 10 days at halfstaff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the. The flag should fly at half staff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the united states and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the united states or to the right of the united states flag. Flag code formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used the following is a list.
How to practice national flag etiquette with pictures. On memorial day, the flag code dictates that your flag should be displayed at halfstaff until noonafter that time, the flag should be raised to the top of the staff, according to a 2008. Only the president of the united states or the governor of the state may order the flag to be at half staff to honor the death of a national or state figure. The term halfstaff is commonly used to refer to halfmast, although military tradition indicates that halfmast is generally reserved to usage aboard a ship, where flags are typically flown from masts. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the united states should be hoisted first and lowered last.
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