Patriot Day

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, carried out by terrorists from Al-Qaeda, President George W. Bush proclaimed Friday, September 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.

[1] A bill to make September 11 a national day of mourning was introduced in the U.S. House on October 25, 2001, by Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) with 22 co-sponsors.

[18] Since Joe Biden was elected president in 2020, he has also issued Executive Orders for Patriot Day in 2021,[19] 2022,[20] 2023,[21] and 2024.

Additionally, a moment of silence is observed to correspond with the attacks, beginning at 8:46 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Patriot Day is not a federal holiday; schools and businesses remain open in observance of the occasion, although memorial ceremonies for the 2,977 victims are often held.

In Washington, D.C. , three American flags fly at half-mast on Columbus Circle outside of Washington Union Station ) on Patriot Day 2013. The flags of several U.S. states and territories can be seen also flying at half-mast in the background .