How and when to fly the American flag at half-mast

Everyone knows that the American flag is flown at half mast* on Memorial Day.  But how many times have we driven past a government building and seen the flag at half-mast and thought "hmmm...why is the flag at half-mast?"   Below is a list of those occasions other than Memorial Day on which the flag is flown at half-mast.

But first, here is the proper procedure for displaying the flag at half mast:

Raise briskly to top slowly lower to half staff Raise briskly to top at sunest Slowly lower and secure

When to fly the American flag at half-mast

"Half-staff" or "half-mast"?   Well, that depends on where you grew up and what military service traditions your family has. Both terms are correct in referring to the act of displaying the national ensign at a point roughly halfway up the flagpole; however, the term "half-mast is - since ships have masts - a Navy term.