Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered that U.S. and Ohio state flags across the state be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds on Wednesday to remember the terrorist attacks from Sept. 11, 2001.
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.
When are flags lowered throughout the year?
Flags on public building throughout the United States are routinely flying at half-staff on these additional dates:
May 15 - Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff all day)
Sept. 11 - Patriot Day (half-staff all day)
First Sunday in October - Fallen Fighters Fallen Firefighters (half-staff all day)
Dec. 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff all day)