Patriot Day was established as a national observance in the United States when President George W. Bush signed Public Law 107-89 on December 18, 2001. This law designated September 11th of each year as Patriot Day. It is important to classify its status as a day of observance, a specific noun category, rather than a federal holiday, as banks, government offices, and schools do not close.
The creation of this observance followed a U.S. House Joint Resolution passed on October 25, 2001, which requested the President to make the designation. The law directs that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff at all U.S. government buildings, facilities, and individual American homes on this day. It also calls for Americans to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
In 2009, the scope of the day was expanded through the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. This legislation amended the observance, renaming it the "National Day of Service and Remembrance." This change officially encourages Americans to engage in community service and charitable activities as a tribute, shifting the day's focus from one of solemn remembrance to one that also includes positive, forward-looking action through service.
