Why Flags Were at Half Staff in New York This Week

Driving home from the airport this weekend, I noticed something at nearly every toll plaza I passed: flags were lowered to half staff.

A flag is flown at half staff as a symbol of mourning. While there are scheduled dates for flags to be lowered across the country, other instances (like this week) are ordered by high-ranking government officials like the governor or even president.

National Days for Flags Flown at Half Staff

Nationally, there are at five scheduled dates to fly flags at half staff: National Firefighters Memorial Day on May 4th, Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th, Memorial day (from sunrise to noon), Patriot Day on September 11th, and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on December 7th.

Flags Lowered for Deaths of United States Presidents

Flags are also flown at half staff across the country to recognize the death of a former United States president. Following the passing of President Jimmy Carter, flags were flown at half staff for an entire month between December 30th 2024 and January 29th 2025.

Which Flags Are Lowered to Half Staff?

During a period of mourning, all official flags on government buildings are lowered to half staff. This includes the American flag, the official state and/or city flag, as well as the POW-MIA flag.

Why New York State Flags Were Flown at Half Staff This Week

On March 1st, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul directed flags in the state to be lowered to honor the passing of prominent civil rights leader and former president of the New York State NAACP, Dr. Hazel N. Dukes.

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Why New York City Flags Were Also Flown at Half Staff This Week

In New York City, flags had already been flying at half-staff to honor the lives of two sanitation workers, Nelvern Samuel and Michael Biuso, who had both recently passed while on duty.