The keyword "Patriot Day" functions as a proper noun. It is the designated name for the annual observance in the United States held on September 11th to commemorate the individuals killed in the terrorist attacks of 2001. This solemn national day of remembrance is not a federal public holiday; government offices and most businesses remain open. Its primary purpose is to honor the victims, their families, and the first responders who acted during the events.
Established by a presidential proclamation by George W. Bush in 2001 and later made official by a joint resolution of Congress in 2002, the observance includes several key traditions. The President directs that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff on all federal buildings and establishments. A nationwide moment of silence is typically observed at 8:46 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center. The day is also federally designated as the National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging citizens to engage in community service and charitable acts as a constructive tribute.
This observance must be distinguished from Patriots' Day, a separate public holiday recognized in Massachusetts and Maine on the third Monday of April. Patriots' Day celebrates the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first engagements of the American Revolutionary War. While both names are similar, the September 11th commemoration is a day of modern, somber reflection and national unity, whereas the April holiday is a regional celebration of a historical military event from the nation's founding.
