What is a national day of mourning? Why the US is honoring former President Jimmy Carter

Show Caption

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

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

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

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

When is Jimmy Carter's funeral? See 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 pay respects to a revered public figure who has died, most commonly a U.S. president.

In the case of Jimmy Carter, the national day of mourning will be held on the same day as the 39th president's funeral at 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 H.W. Bush after his death in December 2018.

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

While several presidents have been honored with a day of mourning in the subsequent years, others have been commemorated as well. 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 be flown at half-staff for 30 days

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

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

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 need.” That means federal employees will have a paid day off.

Here's a list of agencies and services that will briefly close for the day:

• The U.S. Postal Service said post offices will be closed and regular mail will not be delivered Thursday, although a limited number of packages may still be delivered.
• National parks will generally be open, but 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, sites within 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 will close U.S. markets Thursday.
• The United States Supreme Court and other federal courts, along with the Library of Congress, will all shut down for the day.
•  While most public schools will remain open Thursday because it is not an official federal holiday, all organizations affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, including all military schools, will be closed.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com