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Patriot Day

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For the anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution and the holiday celebrated in Massachusetts, Maine, and other states, see Patriots' Day. For the Quebec holiday, see National Patriots' Day.
Patriot Day
Observed byUnited States
DateSeptember 11
Next timeSeptember 11, 2025 (2025-09-11)
Frequencyannual
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and White House staff observe a moment of silence on September 11, 2009.
President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney on September 11, 2004 lead a moment of silence on the South Lawn with White House staff and families of victims of 9/11.

In the United States, Patriot Day, observed as the National Day of Service and Remembrance,[1] occurs on September 11 of each year in memory of the people killed in the 2001 September 11 attacks.

History

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, President George W. Bush, proclaimed Friday September 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.[2]

A bill to make September 11 a national day of mourning 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] The bill requested that the President designate September 11 of each year as Patriot Day. Joint Resolution 71 passed the House by a vote of 407–0, with 25 members not voting.[4] The bill passed the Senate unanimously on November 30. President Bush signed the resolution into law on December 18 as Pub. L. 107–89 (text) (PDF).[5] On September 4, 2002, President Bush used the authority of the resolution to proclaim September 11, 2002, as the first Patriot Day.

Original co-sponsors in the House were:[3]

In observance of Pub. L. 111–13 (text) (PDF), the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, each year since 2009 President Barack Obama has (by presidential proclamation) designated September 11 as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.[6][7][8][9][10]

Observance

In Washington, D.C., three American flags fly at half-staff on Columbus Circle (outside of Union Station) on Patriot Day 2013. The flags of several US states and territories can be seen also flying at half-staff in the background.

The flag of the United States is flown at half-staff at the White House and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments throughout the world; flags are also encouraged to be displayed on individual American homes. Additionally, a moment of silence is observed to correspond with the attacks, beginning at 8:46 AM (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Patriot Day is not a federal holiday; schools and businesses remain open in observance of the occasion, although memorial ceremonies for the victims are often held. Volunteer and service opportunities are coordinated by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

References

  1. ^ "Presidential Proclamation: Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance" (Press release). Office of the Press Secretary. September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
  2. ^ National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims Of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
  3. ^ a b "Bill Summary & Status 107th Congress (2001–2002) H.J.RES.71 All Information – Office of the Clerk". Retrieved 2012-06-16.
  4. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 407". Office of the Clerk. Retrieved 2007-05-28.
  5. ^ Public Law 107-89
  6. ^ "Presidential Proclamation: Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance". White House Office of the Press Secretary. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
  7. ^ "Presidential Proclamation: Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance". White House Office of the Press Secretary. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
  8. ^ "Presidential Proclamation: Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance". White House Office of the Press Secretary. 2011-09-09. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
  9. ^ "Presidential Proclamation: Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance". White House Office of the Press Secretary. 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
  10. ^ "Presidential Proclamation: Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance". White House Office of the Press Secretary. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 9/11 anniversaries.
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