Patriot Day, observed annually on September 11, is not a bank holiday. It is a National Day of Service and Remembrance, a day of observance rather than a federal holiday. Consequently, financial institutions, including banks and the stock market, operate on their normal schedules. Federal law designates this day for remembrance ceremonies, flying the flag at half-staff, and a moment of silence, but it does not mandate the closure of government offices or private businesses.
The distinction lies in its legal status. Federal holidays are created by an act of Congress and are listed in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. These are the days on which non-essential federal government agencies are closed, and most banks follow this schedule. Patriot Day, however, was established by a presidential proclamation and later by law as a day of national observance to honor the individuals who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks. This designation encourages solemn commemoration but does not carry the legal weight to close commercial or federal operations.
It is also important not to confuse Patriot Day (September 11) with Patriots' Day, a state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine celebrated on the third Monday in April. Patriots' Day commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord and does result in the closure of some state and local services, including some banks, within those specific states. For the national observance on September 11, all banking and commercial activities throughout the United States proceed without interruption.
