9/11 – Patriot Day – September 11

Every year on September 11th, Patriot Day—officially known as the National Day of Service and Remembrance—is held in remembrance of those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Patriot Day will fall on September 11, 2023.

President Trump’s proclamation, in part:

“On this anniversary, I urge all Americans to express gratitude to the outstanding first responders and military personnel who are waging the war on terrorism on behalf of our country…The extraordinary response to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma is clear evidence of the spirit of service and selflessness that Americans so eminently displayed on September 11, 2001.

Patriot Day: How It’s Celebrated

.Every year on September 11th, Americans are asked to celebrate Patriot Day with a moment of silence starting at 8:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time.Celebrate the day with rituals and events, such as memorial services.From dawn until dusk, flags should be flown at half-staff in remembrance of those who passed away.Section 174 of the US Flag Code now includes Patriot Day as one of the flag holidays.Patriot Day should be observed with the necessary programs and events, and state and local governments as well as the American people are requested to do so.

Memorial & Museum for 9/11

Every year, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum holds a ceremony in the 9/11 Memorial Plaza at the site of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan that starts at 8:46 a.m. EST. During the occasion, the museum is solely open to the relatives of those who died in the attacks of 2001 and 1993. The Tribute in Light is displayed in the plaza during the evening hours, when it is open to the public.

Pentagon 9/11 National Memorial

On September 11, 2001, a hijacker crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the southwest corner of the Pentagon, killing 184 people both within and outside the substantially damaged building. The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, which stands on two acres of land just outside the area where the plane struck, is a significant addition to the Pentagon grounds and remembers those who died.

There are 184 memorial benches set aside for each of the victims, and they are arranged in a timeline of their ages, starting with Dana Falkenberg, age 3, and ending with John Yamnicky, age 71.The placement of each bench separates the victims on the plane from those within the Pentagon, and each bench has a pool of water that reflects light in the nights. The 59 airliner passengers’ benches are positioned such that when reading the victim’s name, a visitor will face the sky. The Pentagon and the victim’s name are both visible on the memorials for the victims inside the structure.

History

On December 18, 2001, President George W. Bush issued the resolution as Public Law 107-89. The 9/11 community provided strong support for Congress’ decision to declare September 11th the “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”

“Proclamation — It is suggested that the President issue a proclamation each year calling on-

(1) Patriot Day should be observed by both the citizens of the United States and state and local governments through appropriate activities and programs;

(2) To honor the people who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that took place on September 11, 2001, all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States as well as interested groups and people shall fly the American flag at half-staff on Patriot Day; and

(3) The American people observe a moment of silence on Patriot Day in memory of those who perished as a result of the terrorist events that took place against the country on September 11, 2001.

In contrast to Patriot’s Day

On September 11th, Patriot Day is observed, while Patriot’s Day is observed on the third Monday in April. Patriot’s Day is a local holiday observed in New England that honors Paul Revere’s journey and the Revolutionary War battles of Lexington and Concord. Patriot’s Day is also the day when the Boston Marathon is run annually.

Patriot Day is not a federally recognized holiday, hence neither businesses nor educational institutions are closed on this day, however memorial services are performed in honor of the victims.