Patriot Day is an annual observance in the United States, designated to commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Established by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), it specifically mandates the remembrance of this tragic event, directly linking its purpose to a singular, verifiable historical occurrence.
The observance is fundamentally rooted in the verifiable and extensively documented events of September 11, 2001. These true events involved a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States. Specifically, two hijacked commercial airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing their collapse. Another hijacked plane struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, leading to a partial collapse of the building. A fourth hijacked plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew valiantly fought back against the hijackers. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 2,977 victims, including civilians and first responders, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in world history.
Consequently, Patriot Day serves as a direct national acknowledgment of these historical facts, promoting a collective memory of the lives lost, the bravery of first responders, and the resilience of the nation. It is a day for Americans to reflect on the impact of terrorism, honor those who perished, and reaffirm national unity and resolve, entirely grounded in the documented realities of September 11, 2001.
