When is the flag flown at half-staff?

• A. During national holidays
• B. When the flag is torn
• C. When an individual of national importance dies, or whenever ordered
• D. At the end of the day

Answer: (C)

Lowering the flag to half-staff is a sign of mourning or solemn respect for someone of national importance or as directed by an official order. It conveys collective sorrow or tribute after the death of a nationally significant figure, or during a designated period of mourning proclaimed by the president or other authority. Once the mourning period ends, the flag is raised back to full-staff.

The other options don’t fit because holidays are typically observed with the flag at full-staff unless a special half-staff proclamation accompanies mourning, a torn flag is a maintenance issue, and lowering the flag at the end of the day is part of normal daily routine, not a mourning signal.