Flags are flying half-staff in New Jersey and across the U.S. today, Sept. 11, 2025, under orders by President Donald Trump and Gov. Phil Murphy as the nation reflects on the lives lost on 9/11.
It’s been 24 years since terrorists hijacked four planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, and one each into the Pentagon and in an open field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Many New Jersey residents may spot the blue beams of the Tribute in Light shining bright in the sky today as families across the nation gather to remember their loved ones. Nearly 3,000 people will be commemorated at the 9/11 Memorial ceremony in NYC today, including those killed in the 1993 WTC bombings.
Here’s what to know.
Why is the flag half staff today in NJ?
Flags are flying half-staff today, Sept. 11, 2025 in observance of September 11, 2001, the worst terrorists attacks in American history. A resolution passed by Congress in 2001 calls for the president to issue a proclamation ordering flags in the U.S. be flown half-staff, from dusk until dawn, on 9/11. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued his own executive order on Sept. 10.
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy orders flags fly half-staff
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered all U.S. and state flags fly half-staff on all state buildings and facilities today, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 to remember the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Among the nearly 3,000 killed on 9/11, 700 were New Jersey residents, he said.
“We are also forever grateful to our first responders, law enforcement officers, armed forces, and intelligence officers for the extraordinary sacrifices they make to protect our country each and every day,” Murphy wrote.
What is Patriot Day?
Patriot Day is a observed on Sept. 11 to commemorate the lives of those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Virginia and those who died when Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Patriot Day came about via a joint resolution of the U.S Congress on Dec. 18, 2001. It serves as a day of remembrance to honor those who died, and recognizes the courage of the first responders who served their country in the wake of the attacks.
Is September 11 a federal holiday?
No. September 11, or Patriot Day, is not a federal holiday; rather, it’s a resolution passed by the U.S. Congress that calls for the president to issue a proclamation recognizing the day as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Banks will be open today, Sept. 11, as will schools, government offices and the post office, although some workplaces may offer paid days off for employees.
What happened on 9/11?
On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four planes, crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virgina, and the fourth in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to retake control of the plane. The 9/11 Commission Report determined this plane was likely headed to Washington, D.C. or the White House.
How many people died in 9/11?
The 9/11 terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 2,977 people, not including the 19 hijackers, and most were in New York. All 246 passengers aboard the four planes were killed, as were 125 people killed at the Pentagon. At the Twin Towers, 2,606 people died — either on Sept. 11 or later on from injuries.
According to the FDNY, more first responders died from 9/11-related illnesses than were killed on the day of the attack.
What’s the difference between half-mast and half-staff?
The difference between a flag flying half-mast and half-staff depends on where the flag is being flown. In America, flags flown on land are from staffs, while half-mast refers to flags flown from ships and at naval stations ashore.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Why are flags half staff today? Is Patriot Day a holiday? What to know