There are many national and lesser-known 2022 flag holidays in the United States. Each of these have their own unique meanings and procedures for how to celebrate, honor, and fly flags. Some of these include half-staff, full-staff, and particular days for flying the POW MIA flag. This may sound complicated, but there are important meanings for each of these flag holidays that should be followed. We’ve tried to simplify these holidays for you below in chronological order so that you know you are flying your American or other flag the correct way.
Terms to know:
What is Full staff?
A full-staff is a flagpole on which a flag is displayed at the very top.
What is Half staff?
A half-staff is the position of a flag which is being flown below the top of its staff (or flagpole) as a mark of respect for a person (or persons) who has died. In other words, flying a flag at half staff means to fly it at half the height of the pole.
2022 Flag flying dates:
- New Year’s Day, January 1st – Full Staff
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 3rd Monday in January – Full Staff
- Inauguration Day, January 20th – Full Staff
- Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12th – Full Staff
- Presidents Day, February 21st – Full Staff
- Washington’s Birthday, 3rd Monday in February – Full Staff
- Easter Sunday, Date varies yearly – Full Staff
- National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, March 29th – Full Staff
- Mother’s Day, 2nd Sunday in May – Full Staff
- Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15th – Half Mast
- Armed Forces Day, 3rd Saturday in May – Full Staff
- Memorial Day, Last Monday in May – American flag Half Mast until noon, POW/MIA flag Half-Mast all day
- Flag Day, June 14th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Independence Day, July 4th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Korean War Veterans Day, July 27th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Labor Day, September 5th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Patriot Day (9/11), September 11th, 2022 – Half Mast
- National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 16th, 2022 – POW/MIA flag Half Staff, American flag Full Staff
- Constitution Day & Citizenship Day, September 17th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Gold Star Mother’s Day, September 25th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Fire Fighters Memorial Day, October 9th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Columbus Day, October 10th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Navy Day, October 27th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Veterans Day, November 11th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7th, 2022 – Half Staff
- Christmas Day, December 25th, 2022 – Full Staff
Other Days to fly your flags:
- Army Day, April 6th, 2022 – Full Staff
- National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, April 9th, 2022 – Full Staff
- International Firefighters’ Day, May 4th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Victory in Europe (V-E Day), May 8th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Peace Officer’s Memorial Day, May 15th, 2022 – Half Staff
- Remember D-Day, June 6th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Army Birthday, June 14th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Coast Guard Day, August 4th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Purple Heart Day, August 7th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Victory over Japan (V-J Day), August 14th, 2022 – Full Staff
- National Aviation Day, August 19th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Air Force Birthday, September 18th, 2022 – Full Staff
- National Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial Service, 1st Sunday in October – Half Staff
- National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 2nd Monday in October – Full Staff
- Navy’s Birthday, October 13th, 2022 – Full Staff
- Marine Corps Day, November 10th, 2022 – Full Staff
- State Birthdays & State Holidays – Full Staff
- All Election Days – Full Staff
Remember D-Day, June 6th, 2022 – Full Staff
On June 6th each year, we remember D Day, the day when Allied forces landed on Normandy beach, France, in 1944 to start the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation. More than 150,000 Allied troops landed on Normandy beachhead, along with more than 5,000 vehicles and 70 ships. This anniversary is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many people, and to honor those who fought and died in the effort. Raise your flag to full staff.
Flag Day, June 14th, 2022 – Full Staff
Flag Day is commemorated on June 14 in the United States. The flag of the United States was adopted by resolution of the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, and it is commemorated on this day. “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue background, indicating a new constellation.” Fly your flag proudly at full staff and show your American patriotism!
Father’s Day, 3rd Sunday in June – Full Staff
Father’s Day is a day dedicated to celebrating Dads, and the role of fathers in society. Sonora Smart Dodd, who originated Father’s Day in the United States, first celebrated it on the third Sunday of June in 1910. Father’s Day is observed on numerous dates across the world, with local areas commemorating parenthood in their own unique ways. Honor your Dad by flying the American flag at full staff!
Independence Day, July 4th, 2022 – Full Staff
Independence Day (also known as July 4th) is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the ratification of the United States Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Second Continental Congress declared the thirteen American colonies to be unified, free, and independent states, no longer subject (and subordinate) to King George III of the United Kingdom. The Congress had voted two days earlier, on July 2, to proclaim independence, but it was not declared until July 4.
Fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies, as well as a variety of other public and private events celebrating the United States’ history, government, and traditions, are commonly associated with Independence Day. July 4th is also a federal holiday in the United States.
Korean War Veterans Day, July 27th, 2022 – Full Staff
Also known as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27th is an annual flag holiday to remember those Americans who fought in the Korean War. The Korean War Armistice–known as the longest negotiated armistice in history–was signed on July 27th, 1953 at the close of the war.
The current President of the United States issues a proclamation announcing this national day of observance each year. Honor our American Korean War veterans by flying the American flag at full staff!
Labor Day, September 5th, 2022 – Full Staff
Labor Day, which is celebrated on the first Monday in September, honors the contributions and accomplishments of American workers. The labor movement created it in the late 19th century, and it was declared a federal holiday in 1894 after President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. Labor Day Weekend also marks the unofficial end of summer. Honor our American workers by flying the American flag at full staff!
Patriot Day (9/11), September 11th, 2022 – Half Staff
Patriot Day, also known as 9/11, is a day to reflect and remember the horrible terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers in New York City on the same day in 2001. Almost 3,000 Americans lost their lives, including first responders, children, and many others. It is a day to pledge our allegiance, to stand against evil, and to promote together what is right so that such tragedies may not occur again. Remember our fellow American citizens and their families who lost their lives on 9/11 by flying the American flag at half staff.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 16th, 2022 – POW/MIA flag Half Staff, American flag Full Staff
We celebrate POW/MIA Recognition Day because it is a day that we can all come together, remember, and show appreciation for our fallen comrades. It is one way Americans say thank you for their service and keep them in our thoughts and prayers. The POW MIA Recognition Day has been observed annually on the third Friday in September, since the 1998 Defense Authorization Act, in honor of those who have not returned from missing in action or captive status.
Constitution Day & Citizenship Day, September 17th, 2022 – Full Staff
Constitution Day in the United States is celebrated on September 17th every year. This day commemorates the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. The Constitution is one of the most important documents in American history and it sets out the fundamental principles of government. It is considered to be one of the most successful constitutions in the world and has been influential in other countries too.
Gold Star Mother’s Day, September 25th, 2022 – Full Staff
Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day occurs on the last Sunday in September each year. It is a day set aside to remember the mothers and families of our country who have lost loved ones in combat.
During World War I, it was common practice to place a service flag in the window of the home of a soldier. In the center of this flag would be a star for each member of the house who was serving in the Armed Forces. A blue star on the flag represented an active service member, and a gold star represented one who had lost their life in combat. Remember our American mothers and their families on this special day who have lost loved ones by flying the American flag at full staff.
Fire Fighters Memorial Day, October 9th, 2022 – Full Staff
Fire Fighters Memorial Day is a flag holiday to honor, remember, and give national tribute to all firefighters who have died in the line of duty during the previous year. Thousands attend the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland, hosted by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and their sponsors. (Note: this holiday will be moved to May 4th, effective 2023.) Remember our American firefighters and their families by flying the American flag at full staff.
See all United States flag holidays.
