Patriot Day is an annual day of observance in the United States held on September 11 to commemorate the 2,977 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. On this date, al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes, intentionally crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew members fought back against the hijackers.
The observance was established by U.S. Public Law 107-89, a joint resolution of Congress approved on December 18, 2001. The law directs the President to issue a yearly proclamation calling for the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff on all government buildings and establishments. It also calls for a national moment of silence to be observed at 8:46 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane struck the North Tower. In 2009, Congress designated the day as the National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging Americans to participate in community service as a tribute to the victims and first responders.
This day of remembrance is distinct from Patriots' Day, a state holiday in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin observed on the third Monday of April, which commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Patriot Day is a solemn national observance dedicated to mourning and reflection, not a federal holiday where non-essential businesses and government offices close. Its primary purpose is to honor the victims and the heroism of first responders and to reflect on the lasting impact of the events of 9/11 on the nation.
