Why are flags flying at half-staff across Washington state? About the month-long directive

Have you noticed flags flying at half-staff? They won’t be raised any time soon.

For the next month, flags will be lowered across the country. Here’s why.

Why are flags lowered?

There are numerous reasons flags are flown at half-staff. Directives in each state are handled by the governor. There are pre-determined dates for lowered flags, and the governor’s office will announce any additional dates as necessary.

In Washington state, the flag was lowered in 2024 for the deaths of officials, on the anniversary of the Oso landslide and for federal observations like Memorial Day.

You can sign up for email updates on flag directives in Washington state.

Generally, the directive includes a requirement for state buildings, and an invitation for others to lower their flags as well.

Additionally, directives can be issued by the president for flags on federal property. These directives can then be echoed on state levels through governor’s offices.

Flags at half-staff nationwide

As of Monday, Dec. 30, flags are being flown at half-staff in national observance following the death of former president Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100 on Sunday, Dec. 29. He lived longer than any previous U.S. president.

It is an American tradition to fly flags at half-staff for 30 days after a president or former president dies. The standard was established in the Federal Register in 1954 by President Dwight Eisenhower.

President Biden’s statement announcing the death of the 39th president issues a flag directive for 30 days, in accordance with tradition. Additionally, Biden has designated Jan. 9, 2025 as a national day of mourning. Carter served as U.S. president from 1977-1981.

“I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr.,” Biden stated in the proclamation. “I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.”

The flag directive was echoed by Washington state Governor Jay Inslee.

Because the directive lasts through Tuesday, Jan. 28, flags will be lowered during Donald Trump’s inauguration. The last time this occurred was in 1973, when the observation of former President Harry Truman’s death overlapped with former President Richard Nixon’s second inauguration.

This story was originally published December 30, 2024 at 12:29 PM.