As Americans prepare to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Friday, memorial ceremonies will be held nationwide and flags will fly at half-staff in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 people killed. The milestone is also prompting renewed interest in how the nation observes the day and whether Sept. 11 is a federal holiday.
The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, reshaped the United States after hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Twenty-five years later, the anniversary will be commemorated with remembrance ceremonies, service events and tributes from current and former U.S. leaders. Here’s what to know about flag observances and Sept. 11’s status on the federal calendar.
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About 30% of U.S. residents were born after 2001, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, meaning millions of Americans have no firsthand memory of the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. For many, the day is remembered through museum exhibits, classroom lessons, anniversary broadcasts and the stories shared by survivors and victims’ families.
Ceremonies will take place across the country, including the annual observance at Ground Zero in New York. Four former presidents, Joe Biden, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, are expected to attend this year’s ceremony, while President Donald Trump has said he plans to visit the Pentagon memorial.
Is Sept. 11 a federal holiday?
No. Although Sept. 11 is officially recognized as Patriot Day, it is not a federal holiday. Schools, government offices and businesses generally remain open, and public services operate on their normal schedules.
Congress has considered proposals over the years to make Sept. 11 a federal holiday, but none have become law. The date is also observed as the National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging Americans to honor victims through volunteer work and community service.
Flags at Broadway and First Avenue, in front of Riverfront Park in Nashville, fly at half-staff on Sept. 11, 2002, in memory of the events of 9/11.
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Do flags fly at half-staff on Sept. 11?
Yes. Federal law calls on the president to issue an annual Patriot Day proclamation directing U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff on Sept. 11. Americans are also encouraged to observe a moment of silence to remember the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks.
The annual flag observance is one of the most visible traditions tied to Sept. 11, alongside memorial ceremonies, tributes and remembrance events held across the country.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Sept. 11 a federal holiday? What to know
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