BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
It has been 25 years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and an entire generation has grown up without personal memories of that day. The passage of time must not diminish what will forever be etched in our Nation’s conscience. Amid the ruins of Ground Zero, we committed to Never Forget—a promise to be renewed in every American heart, taught in every classroom, and upheld in every community.
On that clear September morning, peace was shattered when radical Islamic terrorists hijacked four commercial planes, turning them into weapons of mass murder.
At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 was deliberately flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Close behind was United Airlines Flight 175, which struck the South Tower just 17 minutes later. It became evident that our Nation was under attack. By 10:28 a.m., both iconic towers—symbols of American economic power—had collapsed, taking thousands of innocent lives and causing unimaginable destruction.
Only 34 minutes later, at the outskirts of our capital in Arlington, Virginia, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, the stronghold of American military might, killing members of our Armed Forces and dedicated civil servants. Despite smoke and flames, survivors turned back to save others.
The horror continued on United Airlines Flight 93, where passengers, informed of the attacks in New York and Virginia through frantic cellphone calls, decided to fight back. Among them was Todd Beamer, who, with deep faith, led his fellow passengers in the Lord’s Prayer before uttering his last, immortal words: “Are you ready? Okay. Let’s roll.” The heroes of Flight 93 thwarted the hijackers, forcing the plane down in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, just 20 minutes from their intended target in the Nation’s capital. In sacrificing their lives, these 40 patriots turned a quiet field into sacred ground, embodying the unbreakable spirit of the American people.
In just over two hours on September 11, 2001, 2,977 innocent lives were lost in the most heinous act of terror in our country’s history. Yet, amidst the destruction, the world witnessed the courage, valor, and patriotism of America. Members of the New York City Police Department, the Fire Department of the City of New York, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, alongside nearly 100 emergency and first responder agencies, worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped in the rubble and evacuate thousands of New York City residents. Rescue workers, medical personnel, and countless volunteers risked their lives, giving everything they had to assist fellow Americans.
Following September 11, 2001, our Nation united with a distinctly American resolve. We mourned as one people and prayed as one Nation, determined that those who attacked us would face the full force of American strength. The terrorists aimed to break our spirit—they failed. They sought to divide us—they could not. They tried to instill fear—instead, they awakened the mightiest force for justice the world has ever known.
In the aftermath, thousands of American patriots answered the call to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Leaving behind their families and communities, they crossed oceans to fight our enemies abroad, ensuring that the horrors of that September morning would not reach our shores again. For nearly a quarter century, a generation of warriors has served, fought, and sacrificed for our freedom. Many gave their last full measure of devotion, and countless others returned home carrying the visible and invisible scars of war. Our Nation owes them a debt beyond repayment.
The events of that September morning forever altered our country, teaching us that oceans alone cannot shield us from evil, that liberty must be protected by a vigilant populace, and that the strength of our Republic will always prevail. As President, my highest duty is to ensure the safety and well-being of the American people. From my first day back in office, my Administration has been steadfast in its commitment to maintain the strongest and most lethal military the world has ever known. I will not hesitate to protect our country by pursuing a foreign policy of peace through strength, delivering swift justice to our enemies, and defending our national security interests at home and abroad.
Today, the hatred that struck us on September 11 persists, and the lessons of that day remain as urgent as ever. We must safeguard our sovereignty, values, and sacred rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We must protect our way of life against those who seek our destruction, whether they threaten us from abroad or within our borders. Most importantly, we must ensure that the memory of September 11 remains a living legacy, passed from one generation of Americans to the next.
For millions, the memories of September 11, 2001, remain as vivid today as they were 25 years ago. We will never forget the 2,977 precious lives lost, we will always cherish their memories, and we will forever embrace their families within our Nation. We stand in endless gratitude to the first responders who answered the call of duty, including the thousands who continue to suffer serious health conditions due to their service. We honor the warriors of our Armed Forces who have defended freedom’s sacred cause over the past quarter-century. Above all, we ask Almighty God to keep our Republic safe, united, and free forever.
By a joint resolution approved on December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), Congress designated September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2026, as Patriot Day, 2026. I urge all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the Flag of the United States at half-staff in honor of the 2,977 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. I also invite the Governors of the United States and its Territories, as well as interested organizations and individuals, to participate in this observance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.
DONALD J. TRUMP
