Patriot Day
September 11, 2017
In Remembrance of the 16thAnniversary of the Terrorist Attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Six months after the Twin Towers fell in 2001, they returned in the form of two blue beams of light illuminating the Manhattan skyline. Since then, they have lit the sky annually as a Sept. 11 commemoration known asTribute in Light.The blue beams illuminate the New York City sky just south of the Memorial site.Tribute in Light can be seen in a radius of 60 miles on a clear night.
Photo source:
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Department of Social Sciences
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman, Chair
Dr. Marta Pérez, Vice Chair
Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall
Ms. Susie V. Castillo
Dr. Steve Gallon III
Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman
Dr. Martin Karp
Ms. Lubby Navarro
Ms. Mari Tere Rojas
Mr. Bryce Febres
Student Advisor
Mr. Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. Maria L. Izquierdo, Chief Academic Officer
Office of Academics and Transformation
Ms. Lissette M. Alves, Assistant Superintendent
Division of Academics
Mr. Robert C. Brazofsky, Executive Director
Department of Social Sciences
An Instructional Note to Teachers about Patriot Day
In the United States, each September 11th is designated as Patriot Day in memory of those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
While sixteen years have passed since the terrible events of September 11, 2001, all Americans, including the students in our schools, continue to struggle to understand what happened on that fateful day and why. Students must continue to examine the lessons of September 11th and how the attacks continue to affect our nation’s security and place in the world.
In recognition of Patriot Day, itis strongly recommended that schools develop a short commemorative program which incorporates a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. in the memory of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
To assist schools in observing Patriot Day, staff in the Department of Social Sciences has developed this instructional resource guide which includes:
- BACKGROUND INFORMATION - This section includes background and reference information on Patriot Day, including detailed information on the terrorist attacks. Additional information is included about the 9/11 Day of Service and the National 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. Suggestions for teachers and parents on how to best discuss 9/11 with younger children is also provided.
- LESSON PLANS- This section includes both an elementary and secondary lesson plan which may be utilized on September 11th to commemorate Patriot Day.
- INTERNET RESOURCES - Additional related lesson plans, teacher background information, interactive activities and downloadable worksheets may be found on the websites listed in this section of the guide.
- CHARACTER EDUCATION RESOURCES – Additional lesson ideas are included to support the core value of “respect,” which has been designated for the month of September.
Background Information
- The History of Patriot Day
- Patriot Day Narrative for a Moment of Silence to be Observed at 8:46 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2017
- National Day of Service and Remembrance, September 11, 2017
- The National 9/11 Memorial Museum
- Talking to Younger Children About 9/11 and Terrorism – Advice for Teachers and Parents from the National 9/11 Memorial Museum
- Bringing 9/11 Into the Classroom 16 Years Later -Suggestions from Teaching Tolerance
- Background Information on the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks
The History of Patriot Day, September 11th
In the United States, each September 11th is designated as Patriot Day in memory of those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the tragic events which changed all our lives in both subtle and dramatic ways.
On Patriot Day, the President directs that the flag of the United States be flown at half mast in American homes, at the White House, and on all United States government buildings and establishments, both home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m., marking the time of the first plane crash on September 11, 2001. A presidential proclamation is also issued each year in honor of Patriot Day. In his 2016 Patriot Day proclamation, President Barack Obama stated:
“Fifteen years ago, nearly 3,000 innocent lives men, women, and children who had been going about their normal routines were taken from us, depriving families and loved ones of a lifetime of precious moments. But the acts of terror of September 11, 2001, sought to do more than hurt our people and bring down buildings: They sought to break our spirit and destroy the enduring values that unite us as Americans. In the years that followed, our capacity to love and to hope has guided us forward as we worked to rebuild, more sound and resilient than ever before. With the hearts of those we lost held faithfully in our memories, we reaffirm the unwavering optimism and everlasting strength that brought us together in our darkest hour, and we resolve to give of ourselves in service to others in that same spirit.
The pain inflicted on our Nation on September 11 was felt by people of every race, background, and faith. Though many young Americans have grown up without knowing firsthand the horrors of that day, their lives have been shaped by it. They hear of the many acts of service that occurred coworkers who led others to safety, passengers who stormed a cockpit, and first responders who charged directly into the fire. Many Americans did everything they could to help survivors, from volunteering their time to donating food, clothing, and blood. And many signed up to don our Nation's uniform to prove to the world that no act of terror could eclipse the strength or character of our country.
United by a common creed, a commitment to lifting up our neighbors, and a belief that we are stronger when we stand by one another, we must find the courage to carry forward the legacy of those who stepped up in our time of need. By devoting ourselves to each other and recognizing that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves just as heroic patriots did on September 11 we are paying tribute to their sacrifices. On this National Day of Service and Remembrance, we must ensure that darkness is no match for the light we shine by engaging in acts of service and charity. I invite all Americans to observe this day with compassionate and selfless deeds that embody the values that define our people, and to visit to find opportunities to give back to their communities.
America endures in the tenacity of our survivors, and in the dedication of those who keep us safe. Today, we honor all who lost their lives in the heartbreaking attacks of September 11, and all who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in the years that followed. In memory of these beautiful souls, we vow to keep moving forward. Let us have confidence in the values that make us American, the liberties that make us a beacon to the world, and the unity we sustain every year on this anniversary. Above all, let us stand as strong as ever before and recognize that together, there is nothing we cannot overcome.
By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day," and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized "National Day of Service and Remembrance."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2016, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and its Territories and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.”
BARACK OBAMA
Note: A the time this resource guide was distributed, the 2017 Patriot Day Presidential Proclamation had not yet been posted. The 2017 proclamation may be accessed at
Patriot Day Narrative for a Moment of Silence to be
Observed at 8:46 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2017
Monday, September 11, 2017 is Patriot Day. This day marks the 16thanniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States at the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and aboard United Flight 93.
Nearly 3,000 innocent victims perished on September 11, 2001 as planes struck the skyline of New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a farm field in Pennsylvania. Many victims died in the first few minutes; others died seeking safety following the senseless attacks. First responders including police, firefighters, members of the Armed Forces, and private citizens also made the ultimate sacrifice working to assist others in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.
In honor of the thousands who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and their families, we ask you now to observe 30 seconds of silence.
Thank you.
National Day of Service and Remembrance - September 11, 2017
September 11 was officially established as a National Day of Service and Remembrance by Federal Law in 2009. The day provides a way for all Americans to honor not only those who lost their lives in this tragedy, but also to honor those who came together under a spirit of unity to help and serve in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001.
On the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Americans will unite in service in the same remarkable way that so many came together following the attacks.
As in years past, we anticipate service and remembrance activities in all 50 states, at which there will be opportunities for hundreds of thousands of volunteers to paint and refurbish homes, run food drives, spruce up schools, reclaim neighborhoods, and support and honor veterans, soldiers, military families, and first responders.
All Miami-Dade County Public Schools are encouraged to support the National Day of Service and Remembrance by encouraging students to participate in service activities during the weeks prior to and following Patriot Day. Senior high schools may opt to provide community service credit for participating students.
For more information on the National Day of Service or to find opportunities to serve, visit the following links:
Links:
- Site for the National Day of Service and Remembrance –
- Toolkits for Organizing Service Activities -
- All for Good -
The National 9/11 Memorial Museum
In Memoriam: Memorial Exhibition
About the Museum
The National September 11 Memorial Museum serves as the country’s principal institution for examining the implications of the events of 9/11, documenting the impact of those events, and exploring the continuing significance of September 11, 2001.
The Museum’s 110,000 square feet of exhibition space is located within the archaeological heart of the World Trade Center site - telling the story of 9/11 through multimedia displays, archives, narratives and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts. The lives of every victim of the 2001 and 1993 attacks are commemorated as visitors have the opportunity to learn about the men, women, and children who died.
The monumental artifacts of the Museum provide a link to the events of 9/11, while presenting intimate stories of loss, compassion, reckoning, and recovery that are central to telling the story of the attacks and the aftermath.
The Museum was dedicated on May 15, 2014 and opened to the public on May 21, 2014.
The Museum’s Mission
Themission of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, located at the World Trade Center site, is to bear solemn witness to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. The Museum honors the nearly 3,000 victims of these attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others. It further recognizes the thousands who survived and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath. Demonstrating the consequences of terrorism on individual lives and its impact on communities at the local, national, and international levels, the Museum attests to the triumph of human dignity over human depravity and affirms an unwavering commitment to the fundamental value of human life.
Question and Answers with Museum Director Alice Greenwald
Why is this museum called a “Memorial Museum”?
Memorial museums are museums where educational exhibitions and public programs
take place within the context of a memorial environment, typically commemorating
events of tragic and global or national significance.The 9/11 Memorial Museum
tells the individual stories of the 2,977 people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the
World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93, as well as the six people who
perished in the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing. In our historical
exhibition, we present the story of those attacks and particularly, the events as they
unfolded on and after 9/11.
The Museum conveys that those events are part of anongoing story, one that began
long before September 11, 2001, and continues toshape our world today. As a place of
memory and learning, situated within thearchaeological heart of the World Trade
Center, the Museum aspires to educate themillions expected to visit the site each year,
in hopes of building a better future anddemonstrating the transformational potential of
remembrance.
What has informed the planning process for the Museum?
Years of planning and input have helped to inform the design of the Museum. In 2004,
the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation - which sponsored the international
9/11 Memorial design competition that chose Michael Arad and Peter Walker’s
“Reflecting Absence” design - convened key stakeholders to help provide direction for
an eventual museum. Their recommendations gave foundational guidance to 9/11
Memorial Museum planners.
Beginning in 2006, aMuseumPlanning Conversation Serieshas brought together
representatives of different constituentgroups - family members of victims, first
responder agencies, lower Manhattan residents,survivors,landmark preservationists,
and government officials - several times each year to offer their recommendations for,
and responses to, the evolving Museum plans. Scholars and cultural advisors have
been consulted regularly, and the Museum’s exhibitions and planned visitor experience
have been developed by a team of curators, historians, educators, professional media
developers, and exhibit designers. The Program Committee of the 9/11 Memorial’s
Board of Directors, which includes a number of 9/11 family members, has provided
ongoing, critical oversight of the design and content of the Museum.
What history is covered in the Museum?
The Museum tells the story of 9/11, chronicling the events of the day, exploring the
historical context leading up to them (including the February 26, 1993 bombing of the
World Trade Center), and examining the aftermath, beginning in the days and weeks
immediately following the attacks. The Museum also considers a range of questions
and issues arising from the 9/11 attacks that continue to define the world in which we
live. In addition, in an area adjacent to visible remnants of original structural columns
from the Twin Towers, an exhibition covers the history of the construction of the
original World Trade Center.
Why is the primary exhibition space located below ground?
Because of the events that happened on 9/11, elements of what remained at the World
Trade Center site achieved landmark status and became subject to federal
preservation law. The 9/11 Memorial is, in fact, legally required to preserve the
authentic remnants of the original World Trade Center in the area known as bedrock,
and to provide meaningful public access to them.
These historic assets include what remains of the foundation slabs of the Twin Towers,
the remnants of the exterior structure of the towers known as “box columns,” and the
retaining wall originally built to keep the Hudson River from flooding the World Trade
Center site when it was first excavated, known as the “slurry wall.”
On 9/11, despite the devastation of the attacks and the collapse of two 110-story
buildings, the slurry wall - while challenged - held firm. Had it breached, lower
Manhattan and thesubway lines that run through it might have been flooded,
and the destruction could have been even more unimaginable. In the original
master plan for the new World Trade Center, architect Daniel Libeskind felt that
the slurry wall, in its ability to withstand the forces of destruction, itself had
become a symbol of the strength and endurance of our country and its
foundational values.
Because of the obligation to make these archaeological elements meaningfully
accessible to the public, the Museum had to be placed where they could be
seen - at the bedrock level of the site, seven stories below ground. The authenticity of
this location becomes one of the characteristics of the 9/11 Memorial Museum that will
make it uniquely powerful. Where most museums are buildings that house artifacts, the
9/11 Memorial Museum will be a museum quite literally housed within an artifact.
What types of artifacts are included in the exhibitions?
The Museum displays artifacts of intimate to monumental scale - from a wide range
of personal items donated by victims’ families in memory of their loved ones to multiple
objects salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.
Among the larger artifacts presented are the two forked steel beams known as
“tridents,” already visible through the Museum Pavilion’s glass atrium. Standing over
seven stories tall, these columns were once part of the original façade of the Twin
Towers. Now, they signify the power of the historical artifacts within the Museum.