The term "Patriot Day" is a proper noun designating the annual observance in the United States on September 11th. It serves as a day of remembrance for the 2,977 people killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Officially designated as "Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance," it is a time for national reflection on the victims, their families, and the first responders who sacrificed their lives.
Established by a presidential proclamation in December 2001 and enacted into law in 2009, the day is marked by several key observances. The President of the United States directs that the American flag be flown at half-staff on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, both at home and abroad. A nationwide moment of silence is observed at 8:46 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), corresponding to the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It is important to distinguish this observance from "Patriots' Day," an entirely separate state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine commemorating the battles of Lexington and Concord in the American Revolutionary War.
The practical application and significance of the day have evolved. While it remains a day of solemn commemoration, the addition of "National Day of Service and Remembrance" encourages Americans to engage in acts of service and charity. This dual focus transforms the observance from one of pure mourning into a forward-looking call to action, promoting unity and community engagement as a tribute to the spirit of national solidarity that emerged in the aftermath of the attacks.
