September 11 is officially designated as Patriot Day, a name distinct from the similarly titled holiday, Patriots' Day. The core of the distinction lies in the grammatical form and the specific historical events each name represents. "Patriot Day" is a proper noun, singular, referring to the national day of observance for the events of September 11, 2001. Conversely, "Patriots' Day" is a plural possessive proper noun, referring to a regional holiday commemorating the first battles of the American Revolution.
Patriot Day was established by law on December 18, 2001, as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. It directs that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff and calls for a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. This day is a solemn observance, not a federal holiday. In contrast, Patriots' Day is a state holiday celebrated on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin. It commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. It is known for celebratory events, most notably the Boston Marathon.
The confusion between the two names is understandable but significant. "Patriot Day" honors the victims and first responders of the 2001 terrorist attacks, focusing on a modern act of national tragedy and unity. "Patriots' Day" honors the Revolutionary War soldiers who fought for American independence. Therefore, while both observances appeal to American patriotism, they are tied to separate events in U.S. history, occur on different dates, and are legally and culturally distinct.
