Patriot Day is an annual U.S. observance on September 11 to remember and honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the terrorist attacks in 2001. This day commemorates those killed at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Virginia, and on United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Established by a presidential proclamation and a joint resolution of Congress, the day is officially designated as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. Observances typically include a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. (EDT), the time the first plane struck the North Tower, and the flying of American flags at half-staff. Americans are encouraged to participate in memorial ceremonies and engage in community service activities. This observance is distinct from Patriots' Day, a regional holiday in April commemorating the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.
The day serves not only as a solemn memorial for the lives lost but also as a symbol of American unity and resilience in the face of tragedy. It highlights the selfless courage of the first responders and ordinary citizens who acted heroically. By encouraging acts of service, the observance aims to transform a day of national grief into a positive and forward-looking tribute, reaffirming a commitment to community and national spirit.
