Patriot Day

In 2002, President George W. Bush declared September 11th as Patriot Day in the USA. This day is to honor all those who lost their lives in the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. On Patriot Day, ceremonies and memorials are held across the United States. We have the 411 on this solemn observance.

History

On the morning of September 11th, 2001, terrorists affiliated with al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and intentionally crashed two of the airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. All of the people on board were killed, and many others in the building were also killed. The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania, after some of its passengers and flight crew attempted to retake control of the plane, which the hijackers had redirected toward Washington, D.C. In total, the attacks killed about 3000 people.

Creating Patriot Day

In 2002, President George W. Bush declared September 11th of each year Patriot Day. The day is designated to the memory of the nearly three thousand who died in the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Observing Patriot Day

Hang American flags at half-staff.

Observe a minute of silence at 8.:46AM (EDT), which is the time that the first plane crashed.

Take time to think of the people who lost their lives in the tragedy and the loved ones they left behind.

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More Holiday History

Read more: Behind the Holiday