If you own or manage a flagpole, this question comes up more than almost any other: when and how should the flag be lowered to half-staff? As a Baltimore flag and flagpole company operating since 1935, it’s one we get asked constantly, usually the morning of an observance day when someone realizes they’re not sure of the rule.
Here’s a straight answer, plus the fixed 2026 dates you can plan around.
What “Half-Staff” Actually Means
Under the U.S. Flag Code, half-staff means the flag is flown at the midpoint of the pole — not all the way down, but at the position halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. It’s a national gesture of mourning or respect, used on specific designated days and following the deaths of certain public officials.
How to Properly Lower a Flag to Half-Staff
There’s a right way to do this, and it’s easy to get backwards:
- Raise the flag briskly to the peak (the very top) of the pole first — even if it’s only staying there for a second.
- Then lower it slowly to the half-staff position.
- At the end of the day, before retiring the flag: raise it back to the peak momentarily, then lower it completely.
Skipping the initial hoist-to-peak step is one of the most common mistakes we see on commercial and institutional flagpoles.
2026 Half-Staff Observance Calendar
These are the fixed, annually recurring half-staff dates for 2026:
| Date | Observance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| May 3, 2026 | National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day | All day |
| May 15, 2026 | Peace Officers Memorial Day | All day |
| May 25, 2026 | Memorial Day | Sunrise to noon only, then raised to full-staff |
| September 11, 2026 | Patriot Day | All day |
| December 7, 2026 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | All day |
Memorial Day is the one exception to “all day” — the flag flies at half-staff from sunrise until noon to honor the fallen, then is raised to full-staff for the rest of the day to honor the living who carry the country forward.
Beyond the fixed calendar: the President or a state governor can order the flag to half-staff at any time — following the death of a sitting or former official, or after a national or state tragedy. These aren’t scheduled in advance. If you want to confirm whether today is a half-staff day, whitehouse.gov and your state governor’s website both post current proclamations.
Mourning Periods for Public Officials
The Flag Code also sets fixed mourning periods tied to specific offices:
| Office | Half-Staff Period |
|---|---|
| President or former President | 30 days from the day of death |
| Vice President, Chief Justice (or retired Chief Justice), or Speaker of the House | 10 days from the day of death |
Do Businesses Have to Follow Half-Staff Rules?
Technically, the Flag Code’s half-staff provisions govern flags at federal buildings and installations. Private businesses, schools, and residences aren’t legally required to follow suit — but the overwhelming majority do, as a matter of respect and community norms. If your business flies a flag, following the federal half-staff calendar is the standard practice, and it’s one your customers and neighbors will notice either way.
Keeping Your Flagpole Ready
None of this matters if your flagpole hardware can’t actually do it. A stuck halyard, a seized pulley, or a snapped line means you can’t lower the flag when the day requires it — which is its own kind of visible problem for a business or institution. If it’s been a while since your flagpole’s hardware was serviced, our team can check the halyard, pulley assembly, and cleat before the next observance date catches you off guard.
Half-Staff FAQs
Q: How do you properly lower a flag to half-staff? A: Raise it briskly to the top of the pole first, then lower it to the halfway point. When taking it down for the day, raise it to the top again briefly before lowering it all the way.
Q: How long does the flag stay at half-staff on Memorial Day? A: From sunrise until noon only. It’s then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.
Q: Do private businesses have to fly their flag at half-staff? A: No — the requirement technically applies to federal buildings. Most businesses and institutions choose to follow the same calendar as a matter of respect.
Q: Where can I check if today is a half-staff day? A: Whitehouse.gov and your state governor’s website both publish current half-staff proclamations, including ones issued outside the fixed annual calendar.