# When was the most recent time flags were lowered for an ordinary person dying? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 13, 2025, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000 "2025-09-13T00:22:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/1 "2025-09-13T00:22:43Z")
Inspired by Charlie Kirk, but not about him. When was the last time US flags were orders to be flown at half staff for a regular person who had no role in the government? Here are the occasions and people to exclude. No elected or former elected officials, whether federal, state, or local. No members of the judiciary or military. No major foreigners who the above might apply to (the Pope, the Queen, etc.). No mass casualty tragedies or remembrances held on the anniversaries of said tragedies. No official holidays like Memorial Day. Who was the most recent person that had the flag lowered as ordered by POTUS who doesn’t fall into any of those categories? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/2 "2025-09-13T00:39:11Z")
Would astronauts count? ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/3 "2025-09-13T00:49:47Z")
They’re an edge case of what I’m going for, but no, they don’t qualify since an astronaut is being honored for their service to the government for an official government agency. FWIW, my guess off the top of my head is that we would have to go all the way back to the civil rights era for someone like Martin Luther King Jr. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/4 "2025-09-13T00:50:10Z")
You can find a full list here: [American Flag Half Staff Archives | HALF STAFF AMERICAN FLAG NOTIFICATIONS](https://halfstaff.org/archive/) Each state will sometimes do it on their own, so if you mean at the national level that might be harder to find. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/5 "2025-09-13T00:53:14Z")
Rosalynn Carter got half-staff treatment. I guess you could consider her a federal office-holder. Madeleine Albright did too. And RBG. Unfortunately that archive only goes back to 2020. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/6 "2025-09-13T00:57:15Z")
In the spirit of trying to find an ordinary citizen being honored for their non-government related accomplishments, I’d exclude both of them as well. First Ladies and cabinet officials need not apply. And yes, I’m thinking of just at the federal level. I suspect if we start going down the state level we would start seeing a lot of “home state celebrities” that happen to be especially non-controversial. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/7 "2025-09-13T01:02:14Z")
Can anyone find any occasion more recent than October 30, 2005, when [George W Bush ordered flags at half staff in memory of Rosa Parks](https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/10/20051030-1.html#:~:text=As%2520a%2520mark%2520of%2520respect,buildings%2520and%2520grounds%252C%2520at%2520all)? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/8 "2025-09-13T01:04:14Z")
[Rosalynnn Carter, November 2023.](https://flagsexpress.com/flags-half-staff/united-states/november-25-2023/Rosalynn-Carter/) ETA: I see the OP doesn’t want to count her. I’m guessing they also don’t want to count the annual commemoration of deceased peace officers and firefighters. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/9 "2025-09-13T01:24:04Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > ETA: I see the OP doesn’t want to count her. I’m guessing they also don’t want to count the annual commemoration of deceased peace officers and firefighters. Right. I’m looking for individuals that are being honored as a single individual for their non-government related accomplishments. Rosa Parks counts. So does MLK Jr. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/10 "2025-09-13T02:18:51Z")
This is who I came in to mention. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/11 "2025-09-13T03:37:32Z")
Rosa Parks also laid in state at the United States Capitol building, a _really_ rare honor for a civilian. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/12 "2025-09-13T04:24:02Z")
The OP is asked specifically about the president ordering it but I’m reminded of the time that Chris Christie ordered state flags flown at half staff for Whitney Houston. He it was controversial at the time and I still see it brought up from time to time as a criticism. There is a political Mandela Effect with people believing that Obama was the one who ordered them lowered. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/13 "2025-09-13T04:37:19Z")
Oh, I remember the anti-Obama crew on Facebook going ape doodoo about that. I don’t think it was ordered, but it was recommended after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/14 "2025-09-13T18:48:34Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Would astronauts count? They have all been military pilots as far as I know so they miss on that score. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/15 "2025-09-13T19:50:16Z")
It wasn’t nationwide, but when Rush Limbaugh, Florida resident, died, Governor Ron DeSantis ordered flags in Florida flown at half staff. > **[Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’ll order flags flown at half-staff to honor Rush...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/21/us/florida-desantis-limbaugh-flags)** > > Florida’s governor announced he’ll order flags in the state flown at half-staff to honor the late conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, whom he called “an absolute legend” and “a great person.” I believe that Chris Christie did the same thing for Whitney Houston. > **[Flag tribute to Whitney Houston: Too little, too late? | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2012/02/18/opinion/marsh-whitney-houston-tribute)** > > Jason Marsh says the honor for Whitney Houston doesn’t just pay tribute to her talent but shows remorse for how she was treated At the time, this was being falsely attributed to President Obama, in the context of accusations that he snubbed Nancy Reagan when she died. > **[Obama Lowered Flags for Whitney Houston But Not Nancy Reagan](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/obama-flags-houston-reagan/)** > > President Obama didn't order flags lowered to half-staff to mark the death of singer Whitney Houston while declining to extend that honor to former first lady Nancy Reagan. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/16 "2025-09-13T23:04:59Z")
> [@Ancient\_Nerd](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > Would astronauts count? > > They have all been military pilots as far as I know so they miss on that score. Certainly not. All the early astronauts were but there have been many payload specialists that were not pilots or in the military. That’s even if you leave out Christa McAuliffe. From the Challenger I believe Judith Resnick and Ronald McNair along with McAuliffe were never in the military. They all were on the NASA payroll at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/17 "2025-09-13T23:18:52Z")
Either way, the lowering of flags in honor of Rosa Parks in 2005 was more recent than the lowering of the flags for the victims of the Challenger disaster. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2025, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/18 "2025-09-14T15:54:41Z")
The Challenger (or Columbia) disaster would also fall under the OP’s exemption of “mass casualty tragedies”. I was thinking folks like Neil Armstrong, who died of old age, well after the event that made him notable. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/19 "2025-09-14T17:31:35Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The Challenger (or Columbia) disaster would also fall under the OP’s exemption of “mass casualty tragedies”. I was thinking folks like Neil Armstrong, who died of old age, well after the event that made him notable. Armstrong wasn’t a member of the military when was an astronaut. He was the first U.S. civilian in space. He had been in the Navy and flew combat missions in Korea. Up to the OP if that counts against his prohibition of military members. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000/20 "2025-09-14T17:38:50Z")
The OP also says, “When was the last time US flags were orders to be flown at half staff for a regular person who had no role in the government?” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-most-recent-time-flags-were-lowered-for-an-ordinary-person-dying/1023000.md?page=2)