For those who pass by a flag poll today, you may notice that the Stars and Stripes are at half-staff. Curious as to why? It’s in honor of the late Senator Edward Brooke, the first African-American man popularly elected to the U.S. Senate in 1966.

Senator Brooke passed away on Saturday, Jan. 3, at the age of 95 from natural causes. On Monday, Jan. 5, Governor Deval Patrick ordered that the U.S. flag and the flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, be lowered to half-staff in his honor.

The flags will remain in this state until sunset on the date of Senator Brooke’s internment.

Governor Patrick’s order applies to all public buildings of the Bay State, including the likes of town and city halls as evidenced by the above photo of Boston City Hall. It also pertains to all other state-owned and state-controlled buildings, as well as state military installations.

According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website, a decision like this is typically made by the state Superintendent though the decision ultimately rests with the governor.

Senator Brooke has deep ties to Boston, graduating from Boston University School of Law and making runs at Beacon Hill positions such as representative and secretary. He served as Massachusetts Attorney General and was appointed to chairman of Finance Commission of Boston.