Patriot Day is a day of remembrance in the United States set aside in honor of the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.    

On September 11, 2001 the United States was attacked by an Islamic terrorist group called al-Qaeda. Four commercial airplanes were hijacked on this day. Two of the planes were purposefully crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and another plane was crashed into the Pentagon. After the hijackers took control of the 4th plane, several passengers and flight attendants learned from phone calls that attacks had already been made by hijacked airliners on the Twin Towers and Pentagon and heroically attempted to regain control of the plane. This plane ultimately crashed into a field in Pennsylvania before it could reach its intended target. A total of about 3,000 people were killed. 

The first anniversary of the attacks was called a day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorists Attacks. It was later given the name Patriot Day after an official resolution to observe the day was introduced by New York Congressman Vito Fossella and signed into law by President George W. Bush. 

Patriot Day is commemorated by a moment of silence at 8:46 am ET, the time when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. This is a time of prayer and remembrance of the victims who lost their lives, as well as heroes who gave their lives saving others. 

This week, we invite you to download a free 24-page printable to help you commemorate Patriot Day in your homeschool. This printable includes a full lesson from our Constitution Celebration Download N Go™ unit study (on sale this week!), along with several lessons and readings from resources at Geography Matters. It includes lessons from Cantering the Country, Profiles from History, Volume II, Eat Your Way Through the USA, and Geography Through Art. 

To download your free printable, enter your email below. You will receive your freebie via email, and be added to our weekly newsletter. This offer will expire at midnight ET on Sunday, September 15.