Why Are Flags at Half-Staff Today in Westwood?

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, in accordance with a presidential proclamation, ordered that the United States flag and the commonwealth flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise until sunset through Monday, Dec. 7, to remember the victims of San Bernardino attacks in California.

Fourteen people were killed in the attack on Dec. 3 when two gunmen opened fire at a health department. The gunmen were killed in a shootout with police.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families impacted by this horrific tragedy in San Bernardino,” Baker said.

Dec. 7 also marks Pearl Harbor Day. Just before 8 a.m. on December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii.