Never forget. Patriot Day honors the victims of 9/11. Today is day of remembrance
It's been 22 years since terrorists launched an attack on American soil.
Patriot Day, on Sept. 11, is the designated day to stop and remember what happened in 2001 in New York City, Washington, D.C., and in a Pennsylvania field.
What happened on Sept. 11, 2001?
On Sept. 11, 2001, extremist group al-Qaida launched a series of coordinated terrorist attacks upon the United States, killing almost 3,000 people.
Terrorists hijacked and crashed passenger planes into two towers at the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.
A fourth plane crashed into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after hijackers’ plans were foiled by a group of passengers who tried to take control of the aircraft before hijackers were able to crash into another "important symbol of democracy and freedom."
Terrorist attacks on U.S.: 21 years later, these powerful photos tell the story of 9/11
When was Patriot Day created?
In the days immediately after the attacks, President George W. Bush proclaimed Sept. 14, 2001, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims.
A year later, Sept. 11 was made a national day of mourning referred to as Patriot Day. This observance has been proclaimed annually since 2002 and recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
What is Patriot Day?
Public Law 107-89 requests that the president issue a proclamation every year calling on:
State and local governments and the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities.
All departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States and interested organizations and individuals to display the flag of the United States at halfstaff on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001.
The people of the United States to observe a moment of silence on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks.
Will flags fly at half-staff on Sept. 11?
If this year's proclamation follows Public Law 107-89, yes, flags should be flown at half-staff across the country at all governmental buildings.
Are government offices closed for Patriot Day?
No, the day is not a public holiday.
Patriot Day Proclamation issued by President Biden in 2022
"On September 11, 2001, ordinary Americans performed extraordinary acts of heroism," Biden said.
"On this Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, we pay tribute to the heroes and victims who lost their lives on September 11, and we recommit ourselves to the spirit of unity, patriotism, and service that carried our Nation through in the days that followed.
"I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001."
Observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. 'to honor the innocent victims'
Americans have been encouraged to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the victims who died as a result of the attacks.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Patriot Day 2023: 7 things to know about the day, connection to 9/11
