The keyword phrase "September 11th federal holiday" functions as a noun phrase. The core component and main part of speech is the noun "holiday." The terms "September 11th" (a proper noun acting as an adjective, or noun adjunct) and "federal" (an adjective) serve as modifiers that specify the type and occasion of the holiday.
In this grammatical construction, "holiday" is the head of the phrase, establishing the central concept. The modifier "federal" narrows the classification to a holiday recognized by the U.S. federal government, which typically involves the closure of non-essential federal offices and services. The modifier "September 11th" specifies the date of observance. Analyzing the phrase this way is crucial because it frames the subject as a specific, legally defined entity. However, it is factually important to note that while September 11th is a national observance known as Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance, it is not an official federal holiday.
Therefore, treating the term as a noun phrase with "holiday" as its subject is the correct approach for an article. This allows for a direct discussion of its status, meaning, and the significant distinction between its conceptual structure (a holiday for a specific date) and its actual legal standing (an observance, not a federal holiday). The entire phrase acts as a single unit that can serve as the subject or object within a sentence, such as, "The creation of a [September 11th federal holiday] has been debated by lawmakers."
