Date Created:
Year Created: 2001
Description: Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush proclaimed that the American flag should be flown at half-staff at all federal buildings, military installations, and U.S. diplomatic sites worldwide. This gesture honored the lives lost and symbolized national unity. The order remained in effect until sunset on September 16, 2001.
Categories of Documents:
A Proclamation
As a mark of respect for those killed by the heinous acts of violence perpetrated by faceless cowards upon the people and the freedom of the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, Sunday, September 16, 2001. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Citation: Bush, George W. Proclamation; September 11, 2001. The Avalon Project, Yale Law School, https://avalon.law.yale.edu/sept11/proc001_091101.asp. Accessed 20 June 2025.