Patriot Day is a proper noun referring to the annual American observance on September 11 to commemorate the individuals killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It is officially designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, serving as a solemn occasion for memorializing the victims and honoring the first responders and volunteers who assisted.
The observance was established by a presidential proclamation and U.S. Public Law 107-89 shortly after the events. Key observances on this day include a directive for the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff on all government buildings, establishments, and at private homes across the country. A nationwide moment of silence is also traditionally observed at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the moment the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
As a day of remembrance rather than a federal holiday, its primary application is to encourage reflection, memorial services, and community service activities. It is distinct from Patriots' Day, a state-level holiday in Massachusetts and Maine observed in April, which commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The focus of Patriot Day remains a somber tribute to the loss of life and a recognition of the acts of heroism on 9/11.
