Patriot Day, observed annually on September 11, is a national day of observance but is not a federal holiday. Consequently, it is not recognized as a paid day off for federal employees, and the vast majority of private sector businesses and other organizations operate on a normal schedule.
The distinction lies in its legal status. Federal public holidays are established by U.S. law (5 U.S.C. 6103), which mandates paid leave for federal workers and typically results in widespread closures. In contrast, Patriot Day was designated by presidential proclamation as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. This designation encourages solemn commemoration, such as a moment of silence and flying the American flag at half-staff, but it does not carry any legal requirement for employers to close or provide paid time off.
In practice, employees should presume they are scheduled to work on September 11 unless their specific employer has independently chosen to grant a paid day off, which is rare. For nearly all payroll and scheduling purposes, the day is treated as a standard workday, with no legal obligation for employers to provide holiday pay or special leave.
