Flags are flying half-staff in Pennsylvania and the U.S. today, Sept. 11, 2025, under orders of President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in observance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and following the death of Charlie Kirk.
While flags were already slated to lower today to observe Patriot Day, they will remain lowered through the weekend to pay respects to Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and Trump ally who was fatally shot while speaking at an event at a Utah college on Sept. 10. Authorities continued to search for a suspect Thursday and released photos of a person of interest.
Here’s what to know.
Why are flags half staff today in PA?
Flags are flying half-staff today, Sept. 11, 2025 in Pennsylvania to observe 9/11 victims and as a mark of respect for the memory of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist killed Sept. 10, 2025 at an event at Utah Valley University. Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags lowered in concurrence with President Donald Trump’s proclamation.
Flags were already expected to be lowered today for Patriot Day in honor of those who died on Sept. 11, 2021. However, the flag would have typically returned to full staff by sundown.
How long will flags be half-staff in PA?
Flags in Pennsylvania will remain lowered until sunset on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate.
What did Gov. Josh Shapiro say about Charlie Kirk?
In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s shooting death, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro posted on X: “Political violence has no place in our country. We must speak with moral clarity. The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying and this growing type of unconscionable violence cannot be allowed in our society.”
Shapiro in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
On Sept. 11, 2025, Gov. Josh Shapiro attended the annual wreath-laying ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, stating on X that it was an “honor” to be with family members of those killed when United Flight 93 crashed in an empty field on Sept. 11, 2001. Seven crew members and 33 passengers on the airliner were killed when the attempted to take control of the plane.
When do flags fly at half-staff?
Flags fly at half-staff or half-mast when the country or state is in mourning, such as a national tragedy, death of a government official, military member or first responder. The flag will also lower to half-staff for Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance, such as 9/11, according to USA.gov.
What’s the difference between half-mast and half-staff?
The difference between a flag flying half-mast and half-staff depends on where the flag is being flown. In America, flags flown on land are from staffs, while half-mast refers to flags flown from ships and at naval stations ashore.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Why are the flags at half-staff today? Why they’ll stay low for days