Flags are flying at half-staff today, Sept. 11, across Florida and the United States for Patriot Day.
On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists launched an attack on American soil, killing almost 3,000 people in New York City, Washington, D.C., and in a Pennsylvania field.
Patriot Day honors the memory of those victims and the first responders and service members who served after the attacks.
On Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaida launched a series of terrorist attacks against the United States, killing almost 3,000 people.
Terrorists hijacked four passenger planes. Two crashed into two towers at the World Trade Center in New York City and the another crashed into the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.
A fourth plane crashed into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers tried to take control of the plane from hijackers before the plane was used to crash into another “important symbol of democracy and freedom.”
Why are flags flying at half-staff today, Sept. 11?
The U.S. flag should be flown at half-staff across the country at all governmental buildings today, Sept. 11, in observance of Patriot Day.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a proclamation ordering all Florida flags to be flown at half-staff from midnight to midnight Thursday, Sept. 11, to observe the day.
Is Patriot Day a federal holiday?
No. Patriot Day is not a federal holiday. Government offices will be open and mail will be delivered.
Florida Gov. DeSantis proclaims Patriot Week Sept. 11-17, 2025
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the 2025 Patriot Day Proclamation earlier this week.
“Florida will always remember and honor the 2,977 innocent lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, as our nation experienced a series of airline hijackings that led to the worst terrorist attack in United States history.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our military, law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, and other emergency personnel for the selfless courage they demonstrated in the face of terror while defining our nation’s cherished freedoms,” DeSantis said in the proclamation.
The proclamation:
Proclaims Sept. 11-17 as Patriot Week
Proclaims Sept. 11 as 9/11 Heroes Day
Asks all residents to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 am. ET to honor those killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
Directs the U.S. and Florida flags to be flown at half-staff from midnight to midnight at all local and state buildings on Sept. 11.
Observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. ‘to honor the innocent victims’
Americans are encouraged to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. ET to honor the victims who died as a result of the attacks.
Public law passed in US to designate Sept. 11 as Patriot Day
In December 2001, a law was passed to designate Sept. 11 as Patriot Day. The law requests the president to issue a proclamation calling on:
All state and local governments to observe Patriot Day with programs and activities.
Everyone to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff in honor of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
Everyone to observe a moment of silence to honor those who were killed.
New law designates Sept. 11 as National Day of Service, Remembrance
In 2009, Public Law 111-13 was passed, designating Sept. 11 at the National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Help clean, beautify national cemeteries in Florida
Carry The Load, national non-profit veteran and first responder service organization, is partnering with the National Cemetery Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs, to offer a way for Americans to honor those who have served the U.S.
A National Day of Service and Remembrance offers volunteers an opportunity to clean headstones and beautify national cemeteries across the U.S. “in tribute to our military, veterans, first responders, and their families.”
Florida National Cemeteries participating in the National Day of Service and Remembrance include:
How to correctly fly your flag at half-staff
On days when the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised to the top of the pole for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position, according to the U.S. Flag Code.
Before lowering the flag, it should again be raised to the top before being lowered for the day.
Do flags fly at half-mast or half-staff?
On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast.
On shore, flags are flown at half-staff.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Flags at half-mast for 9/11 Patriot Day, Day of Service, Remembrance