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Why flags are flying at half-staff, half-mast at Ohio, U.S. buildings today?

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters

Updated October 9, 2023 3:52 PM

Jason Aldean performs with the U.S. flag as a background during a song at Raleigh, N.C.’s Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Friday night, Aug. 11, 2023. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com

To honor the life and service of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein , President Joe Biden on Friday ordered all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff throughout the country until sunset.

There’s no specified date released yet for the flags to return to full-staff.

Legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein

Feinstein died Friday at 90 at her home in Washington, D.C.

In the Senate, she led the fight to ban assault weapons, while making her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties.

Feinstein was cited at being a role model for female leaders.

What does half-staff mean?

When a flag is lowered to the middle of the pole, it remembers a sorrowful event or anniversary that impacted the public.

Half-staff always refers to the lowering of a flag. In contrast, half-mast refers to naval ships, according to the Naval History blog and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

When flags are ordered to be lowered at half-staff, they should stay at that designated height for 30 days unless the order specifies a sooner date.