Washington, DC — Flags across the nation will be back to full-staff on Monday, after the 30-day period of lowering the flag to honor the memory of former President George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States.
President George H.W. Bush died on November 30th. Bush was President from 1989 to 1993. Prior to assuming the presidency, Bush served as the 43rd vice president of the United States from 1981 to 1989 under President Ronald Reagan. His earlier posts included those of Congressman, ambassador, and CIA director. During his career in public service, he was known simply as George Bush, but after his son George W. Bush became the 43rd President in 2001, he was referred to as “George H. W. Bush”, “Bush 41”, or “George Bush Sr.”
The death of a current or former President is the only event for which the flag is lowered to half-staff for 30 days. If a current Vice President dies, the flag is lowered to half-staff for 10 days from the day of death. The same holds true for the death of the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Flags are lowered to half-staff from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession. Flags are lowered on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress.
