On July 22, the U.S. Capitol flag was lowered to half-staff to commemorate the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who died the previous Friday. Many people might wonder, under what circumstances is the Capitol flag lowered to half-staff? As experts deeply interested in the history of flags, we’ve researched numerous historical documents to bring you the story behind the American tradition of flying flags at half-staff.
1. The Origin of Flying Flags at Half-Staff in the U.S.
The custom of flying flags at half-staff began in the late 17th century as a signal to other ships that someone on board had died. Over time, this practice has evolved to honor significant national figures and solemn occasions, including mourning distinguished foreign dignitaries who have passed away. One of the most notable instances was in 1965 when American flags were ordered to be flown at half-staff nationwide following the death of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill due to his significant contributions during World War II.
2. Historical Instances of Half-Staff Flags in the U.S.
· Presidents or Former Presidents: Such as John F. Kennedy in 1963 after his assassination, Ronald Reagan in 2004, Gerald Ford in 2006, and George H.W. Bush in 2018, when flags were flown at half-staff across the country as a sign of mourning.
· Important Government Officials or Members of Congress: Notable cases include Ted Kennedy in 2009, Daniel Inouye in 2012, John McCain in 2018, Elijah Cummings in 2019, and civil rights leader and longtime Georgia Congressman John Lewis in 2020. National flags were lowered in their honor and respect.
· Major National Tragedies: Such as the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, the 9/11 attacks in 2001, and the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, where flags were lowered to express the nation’s profound sorrow.
· Other Occasions: Annually on June 14, Flag Day is celebrated by flying flags at half-staff to enhance national pride. In 2020 and 2021, flags were also lowered to mourn the significant loss of life due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Specific Regulations and Practices for Flying Flags at Half-Staff
According to U.S. law, the duration and specifics of flying the flag at half-staff are dictated by presidential or gubernatorial directives. Generally:
· Death of a sitting President: 30 days;
· Death of a current or retired U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice: 10 days;
· Death of a Vice President: 10 days;
· Death of a former President: From the day of death until the end of the funeral;
· Death of a sitting member of Congress: From the day of death until the end of the funeral;
· Death of other significant government officials: Generally from the day of death until the end of the funeral;
· Major national tragedies: One day or several days of half-staff.
4. How to Learn More About Flags?
The above stories are what we know about the U.S. tradition of flying flags at half-staff. As enthusiasts who are deeply interested in flag stories, we welcome your interaction. Also, if you want to know more about the stories of national flags, such as “What Does The Black And White American Flag Mean?-FSFlag”, where we discuss the origins and symbolism of the black and white American flag as well as other colored flags, please get in touch with us. We believe both parties will gain unexpected insights from each other.
