Bush Proclaims Sept. 11 Patriot Day

September 5, 2002

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush issued a formal proclamation designating Sept. 11 as Patriot Day in honor of those who perished in the terrorist attacks.

"I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services and candlelight vigils," the proclamation said.

Bush on Wednesday also asked state governors and government officials nationwide to honor those who died in the terrorist attacks by flying the flag at half-staff on Sept. 11. He encouraged all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT, when the first of four hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. A second plane hit the World Trade Center a few minutes later, and a hijacked plane was flown into the Pentagon. A fourth hijacked commercial jet crashed in western Pennsylvania.

A joint resolution of Congress last year asked the president to make the designation.

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