You’re driving down a Texas feeder road, maybe grabbing a kolache or heading to work, and you notice the Lone Star flag isn't at the top of the pole. Then you see the Stars and Stripes doing the same thing. It hits you—something happened. Usually, when people search for why are flags half mast today Texas, they’re looking for a specific name or a specific tragedy.
Texas is a big state. We do things our own way, but when it comes to the flag, we follow a very strict protocol that blends federal law with state tradition. It’s not always a national tragedy. Sometimes it’s a local hero, a fallen officer, or a directive from the Governor that hasn't made the national news cycle yet.
The Most Common Reasons for the Lowered Flag
If you see the flags down right now, the first place to look is the Governor’s office. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott (or whoever is holding the seat) has the sole authority to order state flags to half-staff. This usually happens via an official proclamation.
One of the most frequent reasons is the passing of a prominent Texan. This could be a former legislator, a judge, or a cultural icon. But more often than not, it's a "Line of Duty" death. When a peace officer, firefighter, or first responder loses their life protecting a Texas community, the flags go down. It’s a sign of respect that the state doesn't take lightly.
Sometimes it’s a federal thing. If the President of the United States issues a proclamation, Texas follows suit. This happened for the passing of figures like Sandra Day O'Connor or during the anniversaries of 9/11 and Pearl Harbor. If you see the U.S. flag at half-staff, the Texas flag must be too. You'll never see the U.S. flag lower than the Texas flag—that's a major faux pas and actually violates flag code.
Deciphering the Timing: How Long Do They Stay Down?
The duration matters. It's not just a random "lower it and forget it" situation.
- For a President or former President: 30 days.
- For a Vice President, Chief Justice, or Speaker of the House: 10 days.
- For a member of Congress: Just the day of death and the following day.
In Texas, specifically for state-level officials or fallen heroes, the Governor usually specifies the window. It might be from sunrise to sunset on the day of the funeral, or it might be for a three-day period of mourning. If you’re seeing flags at half-staff on a random Tuesday, it’s highly likely a local tribute to a fallen officer whose service is being held that morning.
💡 You might also like: Why the 2013 Moore Oklahoma Tornado Changed Everything We Knew About Survival
The Confusion Between Half-Mast and Half-Staff
Let’s get technical for a second because, honestly, people use these interchangeably and it drives history buffs crazy. "Half-mast" is technically a naval term. It refers to flags on ships or at naval stations. "Half-staff" is for everything on land.
If you're standing in front of the State Capitol in Austin, you're looking at a flag at half-staff. If you're on a Coast Guard cutter off the coast of Galveston, it's half-mast. Does it really matter to the average person? Probably not. But if you’re trying to understand the tradition, the distinction is there.
Why the Governor's Proclamation is Your Best Source
The Texas flag code is actually written into the Texas Government Code, Chapter 3100. It's pretty dry reading, but it clarifies that the Governor is the "Commander in Chief" of the state when it comes to these symbols.
When searching for why are flags half mast today Texas, the most reliable way to find the "why" is to check the Governor’s official press releases. They post every single proclamation there. For example, if a notable Texan like a former Secretary of State passes away, the Governor will issue a specific directive to the Texas Department of Public Safety to lower flags at all state buildings.
Special Days When the Flag is Always Lowered
There are certain days on the calendar where you don’t even need to check the news. The flag will be down because history demands it.
- Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15): This is a big one in Texas. Flags fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset to honor those who died in the line of duty.
- Memorial Day: This one is unique. The flag flies at half-staff only until noon. At noon, it’s raised to the top of the pole. The idea is that the morning is for mourning, and the afternoon is for honoring the living veterans and the endurance of the nation.
- Patriot Day (September 11): Always half-staff.
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7): Always half-staff.
What if it’s a Local School or Business?
You might see a local high school or a car dealership with a flag at half-staff when the rest of the town has theirs at the top. Is that allowed?
📖 Related: Ethics in the News: What Most People Get Wrong
Technically, the U.S. Flag Code doesn't give private citizens or businesses the "authority" to lower the flag on their own whim for personal reasons. However, there are no "flag police" who are going to come arrest a business owner for lowering a flag to honor a beloved local teacher or a family member. It happens all the time. In Texas, community is everything. If a town loses a legendary football coach, you can bet every flag in that zip code is going to be halfway down, regardless of whether Austin sent out a memo or not.
How to Properly Lower the Flag
There is a specific way to do this that many people get wrong. You don't just hoist it halfway and tie it off.
According to protocol, you must first hoist the flag to the very top (the peak) for a brief moment, then lower it to the half-staff position. When it’s time to take the flag down for the night, you must again hoist it to the peak before lowering it all the way. It’s a symbolic gesture of acknowledging the flag’s full glory before acknowledging the sorrow of the moment.
Is it a State Holiday You Forgot?
Sometimes people confuse a flag at half-staff with "Texas Honor Days." We have several of these, like Texas Independence Day (March 2) or San Jacinto Day (April 21). On these days, the flag should actually be flying high and proud. If you see it down on these days, it’s almost certainly because of a recent tragedy that has superseded the holiday celebration.
The Texas flag is a symbol of defiance and pride. We are the only state that was a sovereign republic before joining the Union, and our flag code reflects that status. It’s treated with almost the same level of reverence as the national colors.
Common Misconceptions About the Texas Flag
You’ve probably heard the myth that the Texas flag is the only state flag allowed to fly at the same height as the U.S. flag. That’s actually a bit of a misunderstanding. Any state flag can fly at the same height as the U.S. flag, provided they are on separate poles. If they are on the same pole, the U.S. flag must be on top. Texas just happens to be very vocal about making sure our flag is always at that maximum allowed height.
👉 See also: When is the Next Hurricane Coming 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
When both are lowered to half-staff, they must move together. You wouldn't lower the U.S. flag and leave the Texas flag at the top. That would be seen as a major sign of disrespect to the federal government.
How to Find Out the Reason Right Now
If you are looking at a flag right now and wondering what's going on, here is your checklist:
- Check the Date: Is it May 15, September 11, or December 7?
- Check Local News: Did a police officer or firefighter in your specific city pass away recently?
- Check the Governor’s Social Media: Governor Abbott’s staff is usually very quick to post flag proclamations on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook.
- Look at the U.S. President’s Proclamations: If a major national figure passed in the last 48 hours, that’s your answer.
Actionable Steps for Flag Owners
If you manage a building or have a flagpole at home and you want to stay in compliance with the latest Texas flag status, you should sign up for flag alerts. The Texas Governor’s office doesn't have a direct "text alert" system for every citizen, but several veteran organizations and flag manufacturers maintain email lists that blast out notifications the second a proclamation is signed.
Keep these tips in mind for your own display:
- Ensure your flag is illuminated if you keep it at half-staff overnight.
- If your flagpole is too short to properly show a half-staff position (meaning the flag would touch the ground or bushes), it is better to fly it at full staff with a black "mourning ribbon" attached to the top.
- Check the weather; if the flag is lowered in honor of someone, you still shouldn't leave it out in a Texas thunderstorm unless it’s an all-weather flag.
Understanding the protocol helps maintain the gravity of the gesture. When everyone lowers the flag for every minor event, the impact is lost. But in Texas, when those flags go down, it usually means the state is pausing to remember a life that truly made an impact on the 30 million people who call this place home.
The next time you see the flags lowered, take a second to look up the name associated with the proclamation. It’s usually a story of service, sacrifice, or a long-standing legacy that shaped the Texas we live in today.
Next Steps for Texans:
To stay updated on the status of the flags, bookmark the Texas Governor’s Press Office page or follow the Texas Department of Public Safety on social media. If you are a business owner, ensure your maintenance staff knows the "hoist to the peak first" rule to maintain proper flag etiquette.