Patriot Day
National Day of Service and Remembrance
September 11, 2001 marked the worst event for the US citizens since the Vietnam War. In the hijacking of four American planes, 3000 people lost their lives and the Twin Towers of World Trade Center and a part of Pentagon collapsed. Information about the tragedy was instantaneous and widespread; the official cause was pronounced to be a terrorist attack, but many have challenged it since.
Nine-Eleven became a topic of worldwide debate as, during its aftermath, American authorities introduced new laws concerning security and surveillance visible in the public space, such as airports. What was most important for the mourning citizens, however, was to commemorate their loss and honor the tragedy’s victims. Annually on September 11, people have began to display American flags and visit cemeteries.
Three days after the horrific event, President George W. Bush called for a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. On October 25 the same year Republican Vito Fossella and 22 co-sponsors issued a bill to proclaim Nine-Eleven a national day of mourning, calling it Patriot Day (not to be confused with Patriot’s Day). Unanimous vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate supported the idea, and on December 18 President Bush established the holiday. Ever since 2009, the Patriot Day has also been called a National Day of Service and Remembrance by the designation of President Barack Obama.
Every year, the president inquires of federal institutions inside or outside the country and the American citizens to display the Star-Spangled Banner at half-staff, in the name of respect and solidarity with the victims. At 8:46 a.m. of Eastern Daylight Time, many groups of Americans perform a moment of silence, because it is the exact hour of the first plane crashing into the Twin Towers. New York communities dedicate church masses to the tragedy, and collectively honor the dead by laying flowers, visiting graveyards, and organizing memorials.
Although Patriot Day is not a federal holiday and public offices are open as much as private businesses, Nine-Eleven carries a gigantic emotional burden that applies to all Americans and beyond. The world politics of security changed after 2001; relations between the USA and Arabic countries deteriorated. The new millennium began with a tragedy that created new fears, but also changed many people’s perspectives on life.