European Day of Mourning

The European Commission introduced the concept on 12 September 2001, a day after the terrorist attacks in the United States.

The commission, together with the European Council and the European Parliament, agreed on a joint statement to condemn the attacks and designated 14 September 2001 as a day of mourning in member states and EU institutions.

[1][2][3][4] A second European Day of Mourning was observed on 12 April 2010, two days after the Smolensk air disaster which led to the deaths of Polish President Lech Kaczyński, First Lady Maria Kaczyńska, former President in exile Ryszard Kaczorowski, Chief of Polish General Staff Franciszek Gągor and other Polish government officials.

[5][6] A third European Day of Mourning was held on 13 November 2015, for victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris.

[7] Citizens and politicians gathered in a number of countries to mark the moment of silence, including in France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.