What Is Patriot Day?
Patriot Day is a solemn day of remembrance in the United States, observed annually on September 11. It commemorates the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. These attacks involved four hijacked airplanes. Two crashed into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York City, one hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the fourth crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers bravely fought back against the hijackers.
The day is a time to honor the victims, including the firefighters, police officers, and other first responders who risked their lives to save others. The President of the United States issues a proclamation, and flags are flown at half-staff. Many Americans observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane struck the North Tower.
Key Facts About 9/11
- World Trade Center: The attacks destroyed the iconic Twin Towers and damaged surrounding buildings.
- The Pentagon: The headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense was severely damaged.
- Flight 93: The passengers and crew on this flight are considered heroes for their decision to fight the hijackers, preventing the plane from hitting its intended target, believed to be the U.S. Capitol or the White House.
- First Responders: Thousands of firefighters, police officers, and paramedics rushed to the scenes to help, and many of them died in the line of duty.
Writing Prompts for Grades 3-8
Choose one of the prompts below to write about your thoughts on Patriot Day and the events of 9/11.
Grades 3-5
- Prompt 1: Imagine you are a superhero. What superpowers would you use to help people on a day like September 11th? How would you help the brave firefighters and police officers?
- Prompt 2: Write a letter or draw a picture for a first responder (like a firefighter, police officer, or paramedic) to thank them for their courage and service. What would you say to them?
- Prompt 3: Patriot Day is a day to remember heroes. Who is a hero in your life? It could be a family member, a teacher, or someone from a story. Write about why they are a hero to you.
Grades 6-8
- Prompt 1: Research the story of Flight 93. Write a short news article or a journal entry from the perspective of a passenger. What does their bravery teach us about standing up to challenges?
- Prompt 2: Patriot Day is a day of national remembrance. Discuss the importance of remembering historical events, both good and bad. How does remembering 9/11 help us learn and grow as a country?
- Prompt 3: The events of 9/11 brought people together in acts of kindness and community support. Write about a time you saw people come together to help one another, whether in your community or in a story you’ve heard. What did you learn from their actions?
Download the History and Writing Prompt PDF for Patriot Day.
In addition to the history lesson and writing prompts, here are some other excellent tools and activities for the classroom on Patriot Day, organized by grade level to ensure they are age-appropriate and impactful.
For Grades 3-5
- Read-Aloud Books: Picture books are a powerful way to introduce sensitive topics. They provide a gentle, story-based approach that helps students understand themes of heroism, kindness, and resilience without overwhelming them. Recommended titles include:
- The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein: This book tells the true story of a tightrope walker who walked between the Twin Towers, celebrating the beauty and wonder of the buildings before the attacks. It’s a way to introduce the buildings themselves in a positive light.
- 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy: A heartwarming true story about a Maasai village in Kenya that gifted 14 cows to the U.S. in a sign of compassion after the attacks. This book beautifully illustrates global kindness.
- Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman: This book tells the story of a retired fireboat that was brought back into service on 9/11 and helped in the rescue efforts.
- Art Projects: Creating a piece of art can be a meaningful way for students to express their feelings and reflections.
- Collaborative Poster: Have each student color a small section of a larger poster that, when assembled, forms a patriotic image or message like “Never Forget.” This fosters a sense of unity and collective remembrance.
- “Thank You” Cards: Provide materials for students to create handmade cards or drawings for local first responders (firefighters, police officers, EMTs). You can then arrange a class trip or delivery to a local station to give them to the heroes in your community.
- Vocabulary Building: Introduce and discuss key vocabulary words in an age-appropriate way. Words like patriot, remembrance, half-staff, hero, and community can be added to a word wall or used in a word search puzzle.
For Grades 6-8
- Documentary Clips and Primary Sources: At this grade level, students can begin to engage with more complex materials.
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum Resources: The official museum website has an excellent collection of interactive timelines, videos, and lesson plans that are specifically designed for middle and high school students. This can provide a factual and respectful look at the events of the day.
- C-SPAN Classroom: This site has an archive of video resources that can help students learn more about the day and its aftermath.
- Guest Speaker: Invite a local first responder, a veteran, or someone with a personal connection to 9/11 to speak to the class. A personal story can make the history feel more real and impactful for students. Ensure the speaker is prepared to share an age-appropriate message focused on resilience, community, and service.
- Community Service Project: Turn remembrance into action. Have the class brainstorm and organize a service project that honors the spirit of those who helped on 9/11. This could be a fundraiser for a first responder charity, a letter-writing campaign to military personnel, or a project to clean up a local park.
- Debate/Discussion: Facilitate a respectful class discussion on a relevant topic.
- Example Topic: “Why is it important for a country to remember tragic events in its history?” This encourages critical thinking and allows students to express their own perspectives while connecting to the themes of Patriot Day.
- Cross-Curricular Activities: Integrate Patriot Day into other subjects.
- Social Studies: Compare the events of 9/11 to other significant historical events, like the attack on Pearl Harbor, using a Venn diagram to highlight similarities and differences in national response.
- ELA: Have students analyze and write their own “Then and Now” poems that reflect on the day, putting their early memories or perceptions of 9/11 into conversation with their current understanding.