Today we join the nation in commemorating Patriot Day, the official day of remembrance for the tragic events which occurred from terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  The annual day of observance is held in honor of nearly 3000 people who died that day in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

President George W. Bush signed the resolution into law (Public Law 107-89) on December 18, 2001. Through wide-spread support from the 9/11 community Congress designated September 11^th as the “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”

“Proclamation — The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation calling on–

(1) State and local governments and the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities;

(2) all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States and interested organizations and individuals to display the flag of the United States at half-staff 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 September 11, 2001; and,

(3) 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 against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.”.

The moment of silence begins at 8:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time, which marks the moment the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.