Editing Flag of the United States (section)

===Display at half-staff===
[[File:Flight 93 gate flag.jpg|thumb|An American flag now flies at half-staff over Gate 17 of Terminal A at [[Newark Liberty International Airport]] in [[Newark, New Jersey]], departure gate of [[United Airlines Flight 93]] on [[9/11]].]]

The flag is displayed at half-staff ([[half-mast]] in naval usage) as a sign of respect or mourning. Nationwide, this action is proclaimed by the president; statewide or territory-wide, the proclamation is made by the governor. In addition, there is no prohibition against municipal governments, private businesses, or citizens flying the flag at half-staff as a local sign of respect and mourning. However, many flag enthusiasts feel this type of practice has somewhat diminished the meaning of the original intent of lowering the flag to honor those who held high positions in federal or state offices. President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] issued the first proclamation on March 1, 1954, standardizing the dates and periods for flying the flag at half-staff from all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels; other congressional resolutions and presidential proclamations ensued. However, they are only guidelines to all other entities: typically followed at state and local government facilities and encouraged of private businesses and citizens.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

To properly fly the flag at half-staff, one should first briefly hoist it top of the staff, then lower it to the half-staff position, halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. Similarly, when the flag is to be lowered from half-staff, it should be first briefly hoisted to the top of the staff.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/7(f).html U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, §7] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107075721/http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/7(f).html |date=November 7, 2011 }}.</ref>

Federal statutes provide that the flag should be flown at half-staff on the following dates:

* May 15: [[Peace Officers Memorial Day]] (unless it is the third Saturday in May, [[Armed Forces Day]], then full-staff)<ref>[http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+36USC136 36 U.S.C. Sec. 136] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230181947/https://www.govinfo.gov/app/browse/category |date=December 30, 2022 }}. None. Retrieved May 27, 2011.</ref>
* Last Monday in May: [[Memorial Day]] (until noon)
* [[September 11 attacks|September 11]]: [[Patriot Day]]<ref>[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050909-12.html Patriot Day, 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712041859/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050909-12.html |date=July 12, 2017 }}. Georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2011.</ref>
* First Sunday in October: Start of [[Fire Prevention Week]], in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.<ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/more/pl107-51.htm Public Law 107-51] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207155509/http://ushistory.org/BETSY/more/pl107-51.htm |date=February 7, 2009 }}. Ushistory.org. Retrieved May 27, 2011.</ref><ref>[https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-Fire-Prevention-Week Presidential Proclamation Fire Prevention Week {{!}} The White House] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031094701/http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-Fire-Prevention-Week |date=October 31, 2009 }}. White House. Retrieved May 27, 2011.</ref>
* December 7: National [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor]] Remembrance Day<ref>[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071204-9.html National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712042241/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071204-9.html |date=July 12, 2017 }}. Georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2011.</ref>
* For 30 days: Death of a president or former president
* For 10 days: Death of a vice president, Supreme Court chief justice/retired chief justice, or speaker of the House of Representatives.
* From death until the day of interment: Supreme Court associate justice, member of the Cabinet, former vice president, president ''pro tempore'' of the Senate, or the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives. Also, for federal facilities within a state or territory, for the governor.
* On the day after the death: Members of Congress, territorial delegates, or the resident commissioner of the Commonwealth of [[Puerto Rico]]