Governor Bob Ferguson has directed that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, September 11, 2025, in observance of Patriot Day, the annual memorial honoring the victims of the September 11, 2001 tragedy. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on September 11, 2025.
This year marks the 24th anniversary of the attacks, which claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard United Airlines Flight 93. Patriot Day was established by Congress in 2001 (Public Law 107-89) as a national day of remembrance.
Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation, and consistent with state policy, Governor Ferguson hereby extends that directive in memory of Charles Kirk.
Ferguson has also directed that the flags be lowered in memory of all victims of political violence, including Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were assassinated June 14, 2025, as well as Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who were seriously injured in an attempted assassination the same day.
Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Sunday, September 14, 2025.