Patriot Day is an annual observance in the United States held on September 11 to commemorate the individuals killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It is a day dedicated to remembering the 2,977 victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The observance serves as a national day of mourning and solemn remembrance.
Formally designated by a presidential proclamation immediately following the attacks and later codified into law, the day is officially known as "Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance." In accordance with this designation, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff on all government buildings, military bases, and private residences. A nationwide moment of silence is often observed at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, marking the moment the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The day also encourages Americans to engage in volunteerism and charitable service as a tribute to the victims, survivors, and first responders.
The core purpose of this observance is to foster national unity through collective remembrance and reflection on the impact of the 2001 attacks. It is distinct from Patriots' Day, a regional holiday in April commemorating the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. Patriot Day is a solemn occasion focused on honoring the memory of those lost and the heroic actions of first responders, rather than a celebratory event. It provides a formal, unified opportunity for the nation to reflect on the events of that day and their enduring consequences.
