Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff for Patriot Day, today, Sept. 11, to honor victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
DeWine has ordered American and Ohio flags to fly at half-staff at all public buildings in the state from sunrise to sunset, according to an emailed statement from the governor's office.
Flags lowered for Patriot Day, honoring Sept. 11, 2001, victims
On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people died in the deadliest terror attack in the United States, when al-Qaida extremists hijacked four planes and crashed them into both towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
The American flag flies at half-staff when the country or a state is in mourning, according to USA.gov.
Flags can be ordered to fly at half-staff by the president, a state governor or the mayor of the District of Columbia.
In most cases, flying the flag at half-staff marks a significant death, such as a government official or military member, a national tragedy or a national day of remembrance, such as Patriot Day or Memorial Day.
What is the difference between half-staff and half-mast?
Half-staff refers to flags on land. Flags are flown at half-mast on nautical vessels, such as a naval ship. But the purpose is the same for both.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Gov. DeWine orders flags to half-staff for 9/11, but for how long?
