Federal statutory observance
Peace Officers Memorial Day
Observed May 15 unless it falls on Armed Forces Day.
Display timeSunrise to SunsetAuthority ↗
2026 dates + exact display times
2026 U.S. Half-Staff Calendar and Flag-Lowering Dates
Choose a state or date to see recurring U.S. half-staff observances and recorded official orders. Check the display time before acting—Memorial Day changes to full-staff at noon.
Recurring federal observances
Add 2026 .ics calendar2026 U.S. Half-Staff Calendar Dates
These recurring dates apply nationwide. Entries that require a new annual presidential proclamation are labeled and are not automatically treated as active.
Federal statutory observance
Memorial Day
The U.S. flag is displayed at half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff.
Display timeSunrise to NoonAuthority ↗
Annual official proclamation must be confirmed
Patriot Day
Listed on the calendar; current status requires the annual official proclamation.
Display timeSunrise to SunsetAuthority ↗
Annual official proclamation must be confirmed
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Listed on the calendar; current status requires the annual official proclamation.
Display timeSunrise to SunsetAuthority ↗
Recorded directives
2026 U.S. Half-Staff Orders
These are one-time official orders stored for the selected jurisdiction. They are separate from the recurring dates above.
Official order · ENDED
Congressman Doug LaMalfa
Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
Display timeDate only through 2026-01-07Authority ↗
Official order · ENDED
National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend
As a mark of respect for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
Display timeDate only through 2026-05-03Authority ↗
Official order · ENDED
Peace Officers Memorial Day 2026
As a mark of respect for the officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Display timeOrder issued through 2026-05-15Authority ↗
Official order · ENDED
Memorial Day observance
In honor of all of our fallen heroes
Display timeDate only through 2026-05-25Authority ↗
Official order · ONGOING
DEATH OF SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM
DEATH OF SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM
Display timeOrder issued through 2026-07-18Authority ↗
Official order · ONGOING
Honoring Senator Lindsey Graham
In honor of Senator Lindsey Graham.
Display timeOrder issued through 2026-07-18Authority ↗
Usual federal rule
President or former President
30 days- Calculated window
- Choose an event date
- Typical scope
- Federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels nationwide, in U.S. territories, and at federal facilities abroad
- Important
- The period begins on the day of death.
Recurring date rules
2026 Half-Staff Dates You Should Know
Not every federal holiday is a half-staff day. These are the recurring rules that most often affect U.S. flag owners; a new federal or state order can add other dates.
Memorial Day Is Half-Staff Only Until Noon
Lower the flag from sunrise until noon, then raise it briskly to full-staff for the rest of Memorial Day.
Peace Officers Memorial Day Has One Exception
Flags are half-staff for the day unless May 15 also falls on Armed Forces Day. Check the calendar entry and current official guidance.
Patriot Day and Pearl Harbor Use Annual Proclamations
Federal law calls for annual presidential proclamations. This calendar labels the dates but does not claim a future proclamation is already active.
Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day Is Not Fixed
The memorial service date can change each year. Use the official service date or current federal notice rather than copying last year’s date.
Time-of-day rules
Half-Staff Times: Sunrise, Noon, and Sunset
A date alone is not enough. Read the time boundary because flag status can change during the same day.
Beginning of display
Many notices use sunrise rather than midnight. A calendar event therefore cannot always describe the exact current position.
Memorial Day change
Display at half-staff in the morning, then raise briskly to the peak at noon and keep it full-staff through the rest of the day.
Common end boundary
Other orders end at sunset, a specific funeral, close of business, or a named clock time in the affected location.
Use the result correctly
How to Use the Half-Staff Calendar
Select Federal or Your State
Federal dates remain visible for every state. Choosing a state adds recorded governor orders for that jurisdiction.
Read the Display Time
Check whether the entry begins at sunrise and ends at noon, sunset, a clock time, interment, or another stated boundary.
Verify Today’s Active Order
A blank date is not proof of full-staff. Check today’s status and the linked authority for newly issued or local orders.
Calendar questions
U.S. Half-Staff Calendar FAQ
Is every federal holiday a half-staff day?
No. Independence Day, Flag Day, Veterans Day, and most other federal observances do not automatically require half-staff display. Use the recurring dates above and check for a current proclamation.
What happens to the flag at noon on Memorial Day?
Raise it briskly from half-staff to the peak at noon and keep it at full-staff for the rest of the day. Memorial Day is the standard recurring observance with a noon position change.
Does a blank date mean flags should be at full-staff?
No. It only means this calendar has no matching recurring observance or stored order for the selected jurisdiction and date. A new, county, city, agency, or other local directive may still apply.
Why are federal dates included after I select a state?
Nationwide presidential orders and federal observances can still apply within that state. The state filter adds recorded governor orders without hiding federal dates.
How long should flags stay at half-staff after an official dies?
It depends on the office and location. Use the duration calculator for the federal baseline, then follow the actual presidential or governor proclamation if one was issued.