Honoring September 11th Patriot Day

Patriot Day is observed every September 11th to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks of 2001.

It also pays tribute to the service members, first responders, and everyday Americans who risked their lives to save others. Every year, a Presidential Proclamation is issued—beginning with President George W. Bush’s proclamation in 2002 and continuing with subsequent presidents—often in conjunction with National Days of Prayer and Remembrance.

American Flags Fly at Half-Staff

In observance of Patriot Day, the Presidential Proclamation instructs all U.S. government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to fly the American flag at half-staff from sunrise until sunset. Governors, as well as organizations and private citizens, are also encouraged to participate in this respectful display. For detailed half-staff information regarding September 11th, please review our Patriot Day Flag Etiquette FAQs.

Get our full breakdown of Flag Etiquette here. It has everything you need to know about flag etiquette for every special day of the year

Other Ways to Observe Patriot Day

Patriot Day is marked by a variety of observances across the nation. Communities often host remembrance ceremonies, and a moment of silence is observed at 8:46 AM EDT—the exact time when the first plane struck the World Trade Center. These collective actions not only honor the memory of those lost but also foster a sense of unity and healing.

Throughout the United States and around the world, Patriot Day is observed in a variety of ways. For example, Pepperdine University displays nearly 3,000 American flags on its campus lawn as a tribute. Others simply honor the promise to “Never Forget” by sharing their memory of the day, as one GFW employee did in a blog post.

The nation is encouraged to attend remembrance ceremonies, observe a moment of silence at 8:46 AM EDT, and participate in community service or volunteer in honor of those we lost on this fateful day in 2001. Many Americans also pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the attacks by displaying flags specific to 9/11 like the official “We Remember” flag.

9/11 Memorial Flags

The official 9/11 Memorial Flag was commissioned by the New York State Office of General Services for the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, and the design—which includes stars arranged in a pentagon shape and two vertical columns representing the twin towers—was a collaboration between the State office and Gettysburg Flag Works. Read the Story Behind the 9/11 Memorial Flag.

Flags for Emergency Services Personnel & Victims

To honor the firefighters, police, and first responders who risked—and in many cases, sacrificed—their lives on September 11th, specialized flags such as the Thin Red Line Flags and Thin Blue Line Flags are used. These flags serve as a visual tribute to those who continue to face health challenges and hardships as a result of their service during and after the attacks. They remind us of the ongoing impact on the heroes who defended our nation on that fateful day.

Create a New Tradition

We can also help create a custom 9/11 flag with your design or photos, and offer a wide variety of flagpoles and flag hardware. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 1-888-697-3524 or contact us online.