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FORTISVEX

History and References

Presidential Half-Staff Archive

Historical archive, not today's flag status

Use this collection to explore past presidential notices. An article's presence here is not an instruction to lower your flag today.

Find the occasion, the president and the original document behind a half-staff observance. Each entry opens a published FORTISVEX article with its historical context and available official sources.

For current federal announcements, visit official White House presidential actions (opens a new tab). Check the scope and dates of the applicable notice.

62 published articles indexed · Index reviewed October 27, 2026 · Research continues

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62 published records

Published notices and related documents

Dated entries use the formal issuance date, not the Federal Register publication date, observance date or blog upload date. The related inauguration full-staff exception is labeled separately. One corroborated notice has an unconfirmed presidential issuance date.

Issued
Presidential proclamation

Patriot Day, 2020

Donald J. TrumpFirst term
Issued
Presidential proclamation

Patriot Day, 2019

Donald J. TrumpFirst term
Issued
Presidential proclamation

Patriot Day, 2018

Donald J. TrumpFirst term
Issued
Presidential proclamation

Patriot Day, 2017

Donald J. TrumpFirst term
Issuance dateNot yet confirmed
Presidential direction corroborated by state notices

Remembering Representative Doug LaMalfa

Official state notices: January 7, 2026. The original presidential document and its issuance date have not been located.

Donald J. TrumpSecond term

What is covered so far?

This is a growing index, not a claim that every directive from any presidency has been found.

How to read the documents

A proclamation, executive order, memorandum and state implementation notice are different kinds of records. The linked article identifies the available source and any missing original document. Federal Register signature reproductions are identified as reproductions; they are not described as original wet-signed scans. Some related documents include continuing provisions, so read their actual wording and scope.

Flag history and practical guidance

Pearl Harbor history and December 7 guidanceHow to fly a flag at half-staff