Federal orders
Federal half-staff directions may come from presidential proclamations, federal law, or recurring statutory rules. Mast treats applicable federal directions as location-wide because they can affect every state at once.
Federal vs State Half-Staff Orders
Federal and state orders can both affect the flag display in your location. The safest answer starts with the scope of the notice.
Rule of thumb
Federal direction sets the broad baseline; state notices add local direction
When both are active, read each source for its scope. One notice does not necessarily replace the other.
Federal holidays and national observances
A federal holiday or national observance is not automatically a half-staff order. Mast may show these days as teal informational entries, but they do not change the current flag status unless an applicable law, proclamation, or order provides flag instructions. Memorial Day has its own federal half-staff rule until noon.
State orders
State orders are usually issued by governors or state agencies. Their scope can vary: all flags statewide, state facilities only, a county, a capitol, or a specific state agency. The source wording matters.
When orders overlap
If a federal and state order are active at the same time, Mast highlights the broad federal status while keeping state notices visible in the calendar and timeline. A state order may still explain local remembrance details or additional timing.
Which flag should I lower?
Many notices distinguish between the U.S. flag and state flags. Some direct both. Some apply only to flags at public buildings. Mast summarizes the order, but the official source is the best place to verify what applies to your flagpole.