In the phrase "remember sept 11," the term "sept 11" functions as a proper noun. It acts as the direct object of the imperative verb "remember." The term does not merely denote a calendar date but names a specific, singular, and historically significant event: the terrorist attacks that occurred in the United States on September 11, 2001.
A proper noun is a name used for an individual person, place, or organization, spelled with an initial capital letter. While "September 11" is a date, its specific usage in this context elevates it to the status of a proper noun because it refers to a unique historical occurrence. This linguistic process transforms a temporal marker into a nominal concept representing the entirety of the event, including its causes, consequences, and associated human tragedy. Grammatically, as the direct object, it is the entity upon which the action of the verb "remember" is performed.
The classification of "sept 11" as a proper noun is critical because it reflects how the event has been culturally and historically codified. It is treated as a singular, unified concept rather than just a day on the calendar. This nominalization allows a complex series of events to be encapsulated into a single term, which can then be invoked, analyzed, and memorialized. Therefore, the command to "remember" is not simply a call to recall a date, but an injunction to engage with the complex historical, political, and emotional significance of the event itself.
