Federal Order · Full-Staff
Flags at Half-Staff for Thanksgiving Day
November 26, 2026
President George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789, establishing this day as a national observance. Thanksgiving honors the blessings and gratitude of the American people and their nation, rooted in harvest festival traditions. Americans celebrate by gathering with family and friends to express gratitude for the year's blessings and to give thanks for their prosperity and freedom.
Flag protocol
Display the American flag from sunrise to sunset, or 24 hours if properly illuminated, on all federal buildings and at federal installations.