Today is Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in the United States, designated in memory of the 2,977 Americans killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The day was initially called the Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and when the new name, Patriot Day, was proposed, it received opposition from Massachusetts, which already had a Patriots’ Day.
U.S. House of Representatives Joint Resolution 71 was approved by a vote of 407–0 on Oct. 25, 2001, requesting that the President designate Sept. 11 of each year as “Patriot Day.” President George W. Bush signed the resolution into law on Dec. 18, 2001, making the day a discretionary day of remembrance. On Sept. 4, 2002, President Bush used his authority created by the resolution and proclaimed Sept. 11, 2002 as Patriot Day.
On this day, the President requests that the American flag be flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. ET, the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. He also encourages Americans to use the Corporation for National and Community Service to find and volunteer for service opportunities.
WKVI will hold a moment of silence at 7:46 a.m. CT, followed by audio clips of former president George W. Bush and other national leaders pertaining to the events that transpired on Sept. 11, 2001. The national anthem will also be played.
