Patriot Day
In the United States, Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance (previously Patriot Day, until September 10, 2012)[1] occurs on September 11 of each year, designated in memory of the 2,977 killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Initially, the day was called the Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. When the new name was proposed, it received opposition from Massachusetts, which already had a Patriots' Day.
U.S. House of Representatives Joint Resolution 71 was approved by a vote of 407–0 on October 25, 2001. It requested that the President designate September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day". President George W. Bush signed the resolution into law on December 18, 2001 (as Public Law 107-89[2]). It is a discretionary day of remembrance. On September 4, 2002, President Bush used his authority created by the resolution and proclaimed September 11, 2002 as Patriot Day.
On this day, the President requests that the American flag be flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He also exhorts Americans to use the Corporation for National and Community Service to find and volunteer for service opportunities.[1]
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History[edit]
A bill to make September 11 a mourning day was introduced in the U.S. House on October 25, 2001, by Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) with 22 co-sponsors, among them eleven Democrats and eleven Republicans.[3] It passed the House by a vote of 407–0, with 25 members not voting,[4] and passed the Senate unanimously on November 30. It was signed by President Bush, without ceremony, on December 18 as Public Law No. 107-89.
Its original co-sponsors in the House were:[3]
- Gary Ackerman (D-NY)
- Rick Boucher (D-VA)
- Eliot L. Engel (D-NY)
- Phil English (R-PA)
- Randy Forbes (R-VA)
- Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY)
- Felix Grucci, Jr. (R-NY)
- Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
- Steve Israel (D-NY)
- Peter T. King (R-NY)
- Ray LaHood (R-IL)
- Nita Lowey (D-NY)
- Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY)
- Michael R. McNulty (D-NY)
- Jim Moran (D-VA)
- Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
- John E. Peterson (R-PA)
- Thomas M. Reynolds (R-NY)
- Ed Schrock (R-VA)
- Don Sherwood (R-PA)
- Ed Towns (D-NY)
- James T. Walsh (R-NY)
On September 10, 2012, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation renaming the day as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, in reference to both Public Laws 107-89 and 111-13 (the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act).[1]
Observance[edit]
Because Patriot Day is not a federal holiday, schools and business do not close in observance of the occasion, although people may participate in memorial ceremonies for the victims. Most Americans still refer to the day simply as "9/11" or "September 11th."[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "PATRIOT DAY AND NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE, 2012" (Press release). Office of the Press Secretary. September 10, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
- ^ Public Law 107-89
- ^ a b "Bill Summary & Status 107th Congress (2001 - 2002) H.J.RES.71 All Information - Office of the Clerk". Retrieved 2012-06-16.
- ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 407". Office of the Clerk. Retrieved 2007-05-28.
- ^ "Patriot Day in United States". Timeanddate.com. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
External links[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Patriot Day |
- Text of the statute
- Archived version of 2001 proclamation
- 2002 proclamation, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Detailed information on the bill from THOMAS
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