Patriot Day, observed annually in the United States on September 11, is also officially known as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. This designation was established to encourage Americans to participate in acts of service as a tribute to the victims, survivors, and first responders of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
The name "National Day of Service and Remembrance" was formally added when President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law on April 21, 2009. This legislation amended the original proclamation that established Patriot Day, adding a call to action for citizens to engage in charitable service and community-focused activities. It is important to distinguish this observance from Patriots' Day, a different holiday celebrated on the third Monday of April in Massachusetts and Maine, which commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
The dual titling reflects the evolution of the day's purpose. "Patriot Day" primarily serves as a solemn occasion for remembrance, marked by the lowering of flags and moments of silence. The addition of "National Day of Service and Remembrance" reframes the observance to include a forward-looking element, transforming a day of tragedy into an opportunity for positive national unity and constructive community engagement through volunteerism.
