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The flag at the White House is lowered in honor of Nelson Mandela's passing. This act has become a widely recognized symbol of national mourning, but what is the origin of this tradition, and what governs the decision to lower the flag?
How did the tradition of lowering the flag to half-staff begin? The precise origin is unclear, but the earliest widely accepted reference to a half-staff flag dates back to 1612, when the captain of the British ship Heart's Ease passed away on a voyage to Canada. Upon returning to London, the ship was seen flying its flag at half-mast to commemorate the lost captain.
Why did the sailors lower their flag in memory of their captain? One theory suggests that by lowering the Union Jack, the sailors were symbolically creating space for the unseen flag of Death. This interpretation aligns with the British tradition of positioning the flag one full flag’s width below its standard position, signifying that the flag of Death is fluttering above it.
How long is the flag flown at half-staff in the United States? The duration varies depending on the individual being mourned. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7 of the United States Code provides specific guidelines on how long the flag should fly at half-staff after the death of different government officials.
The death of a sitting or former president results in the flag being flown at half-staff for 30 days. Meanwhile, the passing of the vice president, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or Speaker of the House requires the flag to remain at half-staff for 10 days.
For cabinet secretaries, Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, former vice presidents, and state governors, the flag flies at half-staff from the day of death until the day of burial. When a current member of Congress passes away, the flag is lowered on the day of death and the following day.
Does the President have any discretion in making these decisions? Yes, the President has the authority to issue an executive order to lower the flag to half-staff to honor the deaths of other prominent individuals or events. For example, President George W. Bush ordered the flag to remain at half-staff until the interment of Pope John Paul II. In Mandela's case, the flags were flown at half-staff until sunset on December 9.
In the case of national tragedies, the duration is often more flexible. After the September 11th attacks, President Bush ordered the flag to fly at half-staff until September 16, 2001. Similarly, after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis, flags flew at half-staff from the Monday following the event through the end of that week.
On which days is the flag always flown at half-staff? The flag is always flown at half-staff on Patriot Day (September 11 each year), Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7). On Memorial Day, the flag remains at half-staff until noon, when it is then raised to the top of the pole.
What if I can't fly my flag at half-staff? Certain flags, like those in classrooms or attached to houses, are fixed in a particular position on their poles. What should be done if a flag can't be physically flown at half-staff? Although the United States Code doesn't address this situation, the American Legion suggests adding a black ribbon to the top of the flagpole to signify mourning.
Can anyone other than the President order flags to fly at half-staff? Yes, governors of states, territories, and possessions have the authority to order flags to be flown at half-staff, as does the mayor of Washington, D.C.
It's not unusual for a local mayor to order flags flown at half-staff following the death of a notable local figure, and sometimes businesses will lower their flags in tribute to a company member who has passed. While such local half-staffs are not covered by the federal flag code, there are no penalties for disregarding the code, so it’s generally accepted if a local leader honors someone this way.
How should a flag be raised to half-staff? It may seem simple, but raising a flag to half-staff is not just about hoisting it halfway up the flagpole. To properly raise a flag to half-staff in mourning, first raise it to the top of the pole, and then slowly lower it to the half-staff position.
Parts of this post were first published in 2009.
