Why is the American flag at half mast today (August 21 2008)?

Question

Why is the American flag at half mast today (August 21 2008)?

Answer 1

in some places, the flag is always at half mast, such as in Washington DC

Answer 2

solider must have died or someone really important

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure it's not where I live.  Perhaps someone important died in your town or something tragic happened on this day in the past where you live.  

Answer 4

In my town if a member of the police force or fire department have died the fly the flag half mast. They do it for surrounding towns too and I think the whole state.

Also if someone in the military has died from your town or a surrounding town they do it too.

Hope I helped

Answer 5

The lady who suffered a aneurysm the other day has died.  It is in honor of her service to the nation.

Answer 6

My guess would be the death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio who died from a brain hemorrhage.  

Answer 7

I am not sure probably somebody pass away.

Answer 8

someone important died

Answer 9

A lot of places hang their flag half way when there is a report of soldiers killed.

Answer 10

becaus eit is and its the future duh

Answer 11

Gene Upshaw, NFL Player, NFLPA Presdient.  He died of pancreatic cancer earlier this morning.  

Answer 12

The US flag is at half mast because, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first black woman to represent Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives, died Wednesday after suffering brain hemorrhaging caused by an aneurysm.

Answer 13

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones died yesterday, after suffering a brain aneurysm. She was 58 years old.

Answer 14

It depends on where you are- not every flag will be at half mast. For example, if the flag you saw was outside a firestation, maybe a retired fireman died today.

People lower flags out of respect and remembrance for sad events, such as death.

Answer 15

Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio died yesterday of a brain aneurysm. Maybe that is why.

Answer 16

Somebody mus have died thats what it means.

Answer 17

death of us congress man from ohio

Answer 18

maybe just someone important in the area you live in has died 'cause it's all the way up where i am.

Answer 19

Obama's campaign has died.

Answer 20

This could possibly be the answer.....

http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168...

Answer 21

There are 51 people in the US with the authority to order the Flag to half mast.

1. The sitting President

2. The Governors of each state have limited power to lower the Flag in their own state.

3. There are far too many people that think they guide the country.

a. Fire Depts.

b. Police Depts.

c. Other local government officials

d. Knuckleheads mourning the loss of a pet.

It was not President Bush, check your state web site to see if it was your Governor or someone that "just does not know". Most likely just someone that "thinks" without thinking.

Edit: Biker Dude has answered the question. Members of congress get 3 days or 1 week of half mast. Don't remeber off the top the number of days.

PS: Members of Congress get half mast on the day of death and the following day.