Patriot Day was officially designated as an observance in the United States when President George W. Bush signed Public Law 107-89 on December 18, 2001. This act of Congress, S.J.Res. 45, formally named September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day," a day of remembrance for those who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
It is crucial to note that Patriot Day is not a federal holiday in the traditional sense, meaning it does not entail government closures or paid time off for federal employees. Instead, it is a day of national observance and remembrance. The resolution calls for the flag of the United States to be displayed at half-staff at individual homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments both in the United States and abroad. It also requests that the people of the United States observe a moment of silence each year in remembrance of the victims, starting at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center.
Consequently, while Patriot Day marks a significant date in the national consciousness and involves specific ceremonial actions, its status is distinct from that of public holidays such as Independence Day or Thanksgiving. It functions as a solemn day for reflection and collective mourning, reinforcing national unity and resolve in the face of tragedy, rather than a day of general public holiday observance.
