What is National Day of Mourning? Explaining the Jimmy Carter honor

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What to know about a national day of mourning, including the history of the honor, what it means and which federal agencies will be closed Thursday in honor of Jimmy Carter.

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The late former President Jimmy Carter will be honored with a national day of mourning on Thursday on the same day as a state funeral is planned in Washington, DC

Services began Saturday to honor Carter, who died Dec. 29 at age 100. After lying in state at the Carter Presidential Center in Georgia, Carter’s remains arrived Tuesday in DC, where he is scheduled to lie in state at the United States Capitol rotunda ahead of burial.

President Joe Biden declared January 9 a national day of mourning for Carter, who served one term as US president from 1977 to 1981 before becoming a world-renowned humanitarian.

Here’s what you need to know about a national day of mourning, including the honor’s history, what it means and which federal agencies will be closed Thursday.

When is Jimmy Carter’s funeral? See the full schedule as remains are transported to DC this week

What is a National Day of Mourning?

A national day of mourning is a day to honor and show respect for a revered public figure who has died, most often a US president.

In Jimmy Carter’s case, the national day of mourning will be held on the same day as the 39th president’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.

The History of the National Day of Mourning

The most recent president to be honored with a national day of mourning was George HW Bush following his death in December 2018.

The tradition began in 1865 with a one-day government shutdown six weeks after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, according to the New York Times.

While several presidents have been honored with a day of mourning in subsequent years, others have also been commemorated. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were each honored with a national day of mourning after they were assassinated in 1968.

Biden orders flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days

President Biden, who will deliver a eulogy at the funeral, has also ordered American flags to fly at half-staff for Carter for 30 days after his death. The honor is bestowed on all sitting or former presidents under a 1954 proclamation signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

For Carter, flags will be at half-mast – or at half-mast, in the case of ships and naval stations – until January 28. That means flags will still be at half-mast during President-elect Donald Trump’s Jan. 20. initiation.

What is closed on a national day of mourning?

Biden issued an executive order Dec. 30, that “all executive departments and agencies of the federal government shall be closed on Jan. 9,” except those necessary for “national security, defense, or other public needs.” That means federal employees will have a paid day off.

Here is a list of agencies and services briefly closing for the day:

  • The The US Postal Service said post offices will be closed and regular mail will not be delivered Thursday, although a limited number of packages can still be delivered.
  • National parks will generally be openbut their administrative offices will be closed. Those planning to visit a national park site on Thursday are advised to check an individual park’s website for information. However, locations at Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains, Georgia, will have extended hours through Thursday, according to the park service.
  • The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq closes US markets on Thursday.
  • USA The Supreme Court and other federal courts, along with the Library of Congress, will all shut down for the day.
  • While most public schools remain open Thursday because it is not an official federal holiday, all organizations are affiliated US Department of Defense training activityincluding all military schools, will be closed.

Eric Lagatta covers the latest and trending news for USA TODAY. Contact him at [email protected]