Patriot Day is an annual national observance in the United States held on September 11 to commemorate the individuals who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 2001. It serves as a day of solemn remembrance for the victims, their families, and the first responders who were involved in the rescue and recovery efforts.
Officially designated as "Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance," the observance honors the nearly 3,000 people killed when hijacked airliners crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. By presidential proclamation, the American flag is flown at half-staff on all U.S. government buildings and establishments. Many communities hold memorial ceremonies, and a nationwide moment of silence is often observed at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the moment the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
The core purpose of the day is to provide a formal occasion for collective national mourning and reflection. It also encourages Americans to engage in acts of service and charity, transforming a day of tragedy into a positive call to action. This dual focus on remembrance and service aims to honor the victims and recapture the spirit of unity and compassion that emerged throughout the nation in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.
