For the last couple months everyone has been having all kinds of discussions about whether or not September 11th should be a National Holiday or not. Someone mentioned that Hallmark was calling it “Patriot Day” and we all shuddered, saying, “My God, is this really true?”
Well, according to them, it is. Just click on the big honkin’ picture if you don’t believe me. “The final bill that was passed by both the House and the Senate — Joint Resolution 71 of the 107th Congress — named the observance Patriot Day.” Beats me why people are still questioning whether it needs to be a holiday or not.
If that picture of the little girl with the flag doesn’t make you sick, nothing will. And BTW, while you’re mourning or keeping silent or whatever, why not express your feelings by purchasing a fine greeting card?
I can’t find where I read it, but the original proclamation from GWB names 9-11, 2002 as Patriot Day. IOW, it’s Patriot Day this year only. There is, as yet, no official annual holiday. At least, as far as I know.
9/11 is NOT a Federal holiday. The term “Federal holiday” is used in a very specific way in law, and refers to a day on which Federal employees are entitled to a day off from work with pay. The seven Federal Holidays are listed in 5 USC 6103 and are: MLK’s birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Non-holiday patriotic observances are covered in TItle 36. As signed into law on Dec. 18, 2001, Sept. 11 is now designated Patriot Day, according to Public Law 107-89.
pld, good point, although to be pedantic, I never actually said federal holiday, just National holiday. Semantics, I know, but I recognize the difference.
Smeghead, I just heard on the radio that it will now be an annual holiday, if it wasn’t already. I’ll dig up a link if I can. Federal buildings are supposed to fly the flag at half-staff and people are requested to observe a moment of silence, every year. If I don’t talk to anyone, does that suffice, or do I have to stop what I’m working on as well?
See, April 19th as Patriot Day - commemorating the Revolution - was giving people doubleplusungood ideas about freedom and democracy and such, we can’t have that. Besides, physical danger makes for much better sound bites than such abstract ideas.
How about Groundhog Day? That’s when there is a moment of silence waiting to see if the rodent goes back in his hole. We could combine Labor Day and 9/11, but that would not satisfy Hallmark. I always look forward to getting Labor Day cards. :rolleyes:
Patriot Day is a day of remembrance, like Pearl Harbor Day. I must admit, however, that they could have chosen a better name, as it can be easily be confused with Patriot’s Day.
It is not just this year, as 36USC144 says “The president is required to issue each year a proclamation…” just as he is for every non-national patriotic holiday from Father’s Day to Flag Day to Wright Brothers Day to White Cane Safety Day to National School Lunch Week and everything in between.
My mistake, non-Federal holiday. Everything from Leif Erikson Day to Steven Foster Day that we don’t get off from work or school the President has to proclaim.
I just don’t think it needs a name, especially a ‘put a positive spin’ name like Patriot Day. Why can’t it be just September 11th? Should 12/7 be “American Navy Day”? Should April 19th be “We Love Oklahoma City Day”?
Am I the only one who has a problem with this?
