Today is Flag Day, a U.S. holiday celebrated every June 14 to commemorate the adoption of the American flag in 1777. Not to put a downer on today, but this week we’re discussing the terms to use when you see a flag flying only halfway up a flagpole, such as after the death of a president.
Flying flags half-staff or half-mast is a symbol of mourning, and you might see the terms used interchangeably. But are they?
Technically, no. Use “half-staff” for flags on land, and reserve “half-mast” for flags on ships or at naval installations.
And if you’re really into rules, the U.S. Flag Code has stipulations for exactly when and how long the American flag should be flown at half-staff after the death of certain government officials. For the death of a former or current president, for example, the flag should be flown at half-staff for 30 days. For a former or current vice president, it’s 10 days.
The flag is also supposed to be flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day before being raised to the top of the flagpole.
Happy Flag Day!
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