Patriot Day on September 11th honors the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent victims who died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Each year Americans dedicate this day to remembering those who died and to the first responders who risked their own lives to save others.
On Patriot Day, U.S. flags are lowered halfway, and there is a country-wide moment of silence at 8:46 am (Eastern Daylight Time), which is when the first plane crashed into one of the Twin Towers.
We Remember
For many, September 11, 2001, began like any other weekday. We made our way to work. Children attended school. We shopped, had coffee, and waited in line at a drive-thru. Those who weren’t in New York City heard the first reports on the radio or television. A friend or neighbor alerted us to a plane flying into one of the Twin Towers. We felt disbelief—an accident, perhaps, a miscalculation. Then, a second plane flew into the second tower. Our disbelief turned into uncertainty and concern.
Those on the ground faced terror and obstacles they had never known. As a set of coordinated suicide attacks organized by the militant group Al Qaeda targeted the World Trade Center, the rest of the nation witnessed the unbelievable. And then a third plane crashed into the Pentagon. And yet another crashed into a field in Shanksville, PA.
Memorial
Every year since that fateful day, the United States comes together to remember the fallen. We remember the first responders and those who made difficult decisions. Since that day, memorials have risen from the ashes.
On Patriot Day, the national flag is flown at half-staff on all U.S. government buildings and establishments. Individuals are also encouraged to display flags on their homes.
HOW TO OBSERVE #PatriotDay #NeverForget
- Attend Patriot Day ceremonies.
- Observe moments of silence:
- 8:46 AM EDT – American Airlines Flight #11 collides into the World Trade Center
- 9:03 AM EDT – United Airlines Flight #175 collides into the World Trade Center South Tower
- 9:37 AM EDT – American Airlines Flight #77 crashes into the Pentagon
- 9:59 AM EDT – World Trade Center South Tower Collapses
- 10:03 AM EDT – United Airlines Flight #93 crashes in Shanksville, PA
- 10:28 AM EDT – World Trade Center North Tower Collapses
- Volunteer – While remembering the day, help an organization with meaning to you. Improve the lives of others and the world around you. Spread kindness. Offer them hope. Share your skills with those who need them most.
- Remember – Remember those killed in the attacks. Remember to stand united as a Nation. Join others in prayer vigils or memorial events.
Use #PatriotDay or #NeverForget to post on social media and show your support.
PATRIOT DAY TIMELINE
- September 11, 2001 – The 9/11 terrorist attack sends shock waves through the world, with thousands dying, including many brave first responders who try to rescue people stranded in the Twin Towers.
- September 13, 2001 – In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks, 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.
- December 2001 – The now-iconic issue of Marvel’s “Amazing Spider-Man Vol.2 #36” pays tribute to the 9/11 attacks.
- January 2002 – President Bush announces a new doctrine that says the U.S. will go to war to prevent any attack threatening the country.
- August 31, 2002 – President George W. Bush proclaimed Friday, September 6, through Sunday, September 8, 2002, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance.
- September 4, 2002 – President Bush proclaimed September 11, 2002, as the first Patriot Day.
- 2011 – The TV documentary “9/11: 10 Years Later” airs.
- September 9, 2016 – President Barack Obama proclaimed September 11th as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance,
- 2017 – President Donald Trump declared September 8–10 as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance and proclaimed September 11 as Patriot Day.
9/11 FAQ
Q. Where can I learn more about the 9/11 Memorial?
A. The website 911memorial.org provides substantial information for those wanting to learn more or visit the memorial.
Q. Are there memorials at the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA?
A. Yes, both locations include memorials to the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks. You can learn more about the memorials by visiting PentagonMemorial.org and the National Park Service websites.
Q. Did any animals play a significant role during the 9/11 rescue operations?
A. Yes, over 300 search and rescue dogs assisted in locating survivors and victims amidst the debris.
Q. Are there any artistic tributes inspired by 9/11?
A. Yes, Bruce Springsteen’s album The Rising reflects on the tragedy and its aftermath. Songs like “My City of Ruins” and “Into the Fire” were directly influenced by the heroism and heartbreak of the day.
Paul Greengrass’s film United 93 and the Broadway musical Come From Away also tell stories of resilience, focusing on passengers, crew members, and those in Gander, Newfoundland, who took in stranded travelers.
Q. Did any cultural or sporting events change due to 9/11?
A. The 2001 Emmy Awards were postponed twice, eventually taking place in November with a more subdued atmosphere.
Major League Baseball halted its season for nearly a week, the longest pause since World War I.
The Super Bowl in early 2002 featured an emotional halftime show by U2, during which the names of the victims were projected as Bono revealed an American flag inside his jacket.
Q. How did 9/11 influence literature?
A. The event inspired numerous works, including Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, which follows a boy searching for answers after losing his father.
Don DeLillo’s Falling Man explores the psychological aftermath of survivors.
Poems, memoirs, and essays have also been written by first responders, witnesses, and victims’ families, preserving personal experiences and shaping historical understanding.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 2977 – the number of innocent lives lost on 9/11.
- 343 – the number of lives lost on 9/11 who were New York City firefighters.
- 23 – the number of lives lost on 9/11 who were NYPD officers.
- 37 – the number of lives lost on 9/11 who were police officers from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
- 19 – the number of terrorists who hijacked the planes on 9/11.
- 60% – the percentage of victims of the 9/11 attacks whose remains have been identified.
- 3:1 – the ratio of men to women who died.
- 184 – the number of people killed when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.
- 36,000 – the units of blood donated to the New York Blood Center on 9/11.
- 300 – the number of firefighters on leave for respiratory problems from 9/11 by January 2002.
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