Patriot Day was legally established on December 18, 2001, when President George W. Bush signed into law Public Law 107-89. This legislation officially designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day" in the United States.
The legislative action originated in the U.S. House of Representatives with Joint Resolution 71, which was introduced on October 24, 2001. The resolution passed the House on October 25, 2001, and subsequently passed the Senate before being signed into law by the President nearly two months later. This act created the permanent, annual observance.
Following its creation in late 2001, the first official observance of Patriot Day took place on September 11, 2002. The day serves as a national day of remembrance for the individuals who were killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. As directed by the law, the American flag is flown at half-staff on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, and a moment of silence is encouraged to mark the times of the attacks.
