Why were flags of the United States flown at half-staff yesterday?
Many of you may have been asking why the flags were lowered to half-staff yesterday. Well, a flag is traditionally lowered to half-staff at all federal agencies, organizations, government buildings, etc. as a sign of respect or mourning when an important figure in public life dies, when commemorating important moments in U.S. history, or when paying respect to fallen Americans.
An easy way to remember when to fly the United States flag at half-staff is to consider when the whole nation is in mourning. These periods of mourning are proclaimed either by the president of the United States, for national remembrance, or the governor of a state or territory, for
local remembrance.
That being said, December 7 is one of those days when flags are lowered to half-staff. President Joe Biden, following in the footsteps of the previous presidents, signed a proclamation that ordered flags to be flown at half-staff for the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
On that day in 1941, America ended its formal neutrality in the war and entered on the Allied side when Japan launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. There were a total of 2,403 people killed, including 2,008 navy personnel, 109 marines, 218 army personnel, and 68 civilians. Another 1,143 people were wounded. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is commemorated every year in the United States to pay respect to those who lost their lives during this attack.
“On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the memories of the 2,403 service members and civilians whose lives were cut short on that tragic December morning. We reflect on the resilience of America’s Armed Forces, who withstood the attack and built the most capable fighting force the world has ever known. In the wake of tragedy, these brave women and men — the Greatest Generation — answered the call to defend freedom, justice, and democracy across the Pacific, throughout Europe, and around the globe. Today, we carry forward their spirit of unity and their enduring resolve to protect the United States against those who seek to do us harm,” President Biden said in the proclamation.
