Patriot Day

Patriot Day commemorates the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 when al-Qaeda hijackers crashed four planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field, killing nearly 3,000 people. Established by Congress in December 2001 (P.L. 107-89) and first observed in 2002, it honors the innocent lives lost, first responders’ heroism, and national unity. Often paired with the National Day of Service and Remembrance (since 2009), Americans fly flags at half-staff and observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT.

Note: This differs from Patriots’ Day in April, which marks the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord in some states.