Returning the Flag of the United States to Full- Staff

President Obama ordered the U.S. flag returned to full-staff on federal buildings, military installations, naval vessels, and diplomatic facilities worldwide, effective at sunset on December 17, 2016. This ended a period of half-staff observance following the death of a prominent figure.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 93787

Impact dates

Dec 17, 2016
Flag returned to full-staff at sunset

Key directives

Flag shall be flown at full-staff at White House and all public buildings and grounds beginning sunset December 17, 2016
Flag shall be flown at full-staff at all military posts and naval stations beginning sunset December 17, 2016
Flag shall be flown at full-staff on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in DC, US, Territories and possessions beginning sunset December 17, 2016
Flag shall be flown at full-staff at all US embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad including military facilities and naval vessels and stations on December 17, 2016

Timeline

Immediate

Flag returned to full-staff at sunset December 17, 2016 on all specified facilities

Near term (90d)

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Long term

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Risks & tensions

Document does not specify which half-staff proclamation this supersedes; prior period of mourning is implied but not named