Flag, U.S., Commemorative (Columbia STS-107 Crew)

The Speaker of the House of Representatives arranged for this American flag to be flown over the U.S. Capitol on February 1, 2003, in tribute to the seven astronauts who perished that morning aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia during its return from orbit. The flag is a potent symbol of the nation's regard for its heroes. As people around the world mourned the loss of Columbia and the STS-107 crew, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert honored the space explorers on the day of the tragedy.The Speaker's office transferred the flag to the Museum in 2003.