Why are flags flying at half-staff in Kentucky? The tradition behind monthlong directive
Flags are flying at half-staff across the nation and here in Kentucky, and they won’t be raised any time soon.
As of Dec. 30, the lowered flag is a national observance following the death of former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. He is America’s longest-lived 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 Joe Biden’s statement announcing the death of the 39th president issues a flag directive for 30 days in accordance with that tradition. Additionally, Biden has designated Thursday, Jan. 9, as a national day of mourning.
“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.”
Carter served as U.S. president from 1977 to 1981, before losing his reelection bid to Republican Ronald Reagan. Though his presidency was marked by turbulence, afterward, he and his wife, Rosalynn, founded The Carter Center and lived a life of service through humanitarian work.
Carter will lie in state at The Capitol before a state funeral Jan. 9.
The directive to lower flags to half-staff across Kentucky was issued Dec. 30 by Gov. Andy Beshear.
“Jimmy Carter was a true American — he lived through his faith and values each and every day, lifting up his neighbors and serving our great country through kindness and compassion,” Gov. Beshear said in a release. “Let us all learn from him and honor his memory by leading with love. Britainy and I are praying for the entire Carter family and our country as we mourn the loss of this American hero.”
Many other Kentucky politicians and state officials honored the late president Monday, as well.
Because the directive lasts through Tuesday, Jan. 28, flags will be lowered during President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration Monday, Jan. 20. 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.
Why are flags lowered in Kentucky?
In the Bluegrass State, the U.S. flag is ordered to half-staff upon the directive of the sitting governor in accordance with presidential directive. In addition to honoring national government figures, the governor can also lower the flag to mark the death of state officials.
The flag can also be lowered in honor of members of the armed forces and first responders who die in the line of duty.
According to the office of the governor, there are four additional days when the flag is routinely flown at half-staff:
- Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15
- Memorial Day, the last Monday each May
- Patriot Day, Sept. 11
- National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Dec. 7
You can sign up for email notifications and flag updates in Kentucky online.
McClatchy reporter Karlee Van De Venter contributed to this report.
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