The American and state flags were flown at half-staff around Texas. Here’s why

On Monday, the U.S. and Texas flags were flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the Hamas attacks on Israel during the one-year anniversary of the event that has since extended a longstanding conflict in the region.

Gov. Greg Abbott declared a statewide “Day of Observance for Israel” in Texas on Oct 7. and requested residents participate in a moment of silence for Israeli citizens and Americans who have been held hostage by Hamas operatives.

Here is a look at the specific occasions when flags in Texas are flown at half-staff:

When are flags flown at half-staff in Texas?

According to the American Legion website, flags are displayed at half-staff when:

• Memorial Day, when the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.
• Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.
• Patriot Day.
• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
• National Firefighters Memorial Day.

President Dwight Eisenhower also issued a proclamation on the proper times for flying the flag at half-staff when government officials die:

• 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president.
• 10 days at half-staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the speaker of the House of Representatives.
• From the date of death until interment for an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, or the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
• The date of death and the following day of a United States senator, representative, territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It should also be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory, or commonwealth of these officials.
• From the date of death until interment for the governor of a state, territory or possession.