After the death of Nelson Mandela, President Obama ordered that U.S. flags on government buildings be flown at half-staff until Monday evening — a symbolic gesture of a nation in mourning. Its a tradition observed by countries around the world, one that began as early as the 17th century. Mental Floss reports: The oldest commonly accepted reference to a half-staff flag dates back to 1612, when the captain of the British ship Hearts Ease died on a journey to Canada. When the ship returned to London, it was flying its flag at half-mast to honor the departed captain. Some scholars say this allows the invisible flag of Death to fly at the top of the pole. The rules also allow the president to decide other periods of mourning when the half-staff is warranted. Most recently, Obama ordered the lowering of the flag to honor the victims of the Washington Navy Yard shooting and for the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedys assassination. But its uncommon for the U.S. flag to be lowered in honor of foreign leaders deaths. Obama issued a statement of mourning earlier this year after the death of Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, but he didnt order the lowering of the American flag. In fact, the last foreign dignitary to be memorialized with the flag was Pope John Paul II in 2005. Flags are also flying at half-mast in Mandelas honor in France, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, Bermuda, Kenya and, of course, South Africa. This is a hot button issue though, according to the news.... What are your thoughts on this? Personally, I have no problem with it. But, thats me.. ~ J
Posted on: Mon, 09 Dec 2013 17:13:32 +0000
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