9/11 ANNIVERSARY
Why isn’t 9/11 a federal holiday? The reason why Sep. 11 isn’t an official day off for government workers
There have been moves ever since the attacks to declare 11 September a federal holiday but nothing has been passed in Congress for it.
September 11, 2001, is a date etched in the collective memory of Americans, marking a tragic day that forever changed the nation. Despite its profound impact, 9/11 is not recognized as a federal holiday
There have been a number of proposals to make 9/11 a federal holiday over the years, including recent efforts by some New York lawmakers. However, these have not yet gained enough traction to become law.
Why September 11 isn’t a federal holiday
Most federal holidays in the United States celebrate positive events or honour specific groups, such as Independence Day or Veterans Day. The tragic nature of 9/11 sets it apart from these traditional observances. Instead, Congress has designated September 11 as “Patriot Day” and a “National Day of Service and Remembrance,” encouraging Americans to engage in acts of service and reflection without a day off.
This is tied with concerns that declaring 9/11 a federal holiday might inadvertently trivialise the gravity of the event. Some worry that it could lead to commercialisation, with businesses potentially exploiting the day for sales and promotions, as has occurred with other holidays.
“I think right now the thinking in Congress is there are too many federal holidays,” said Donald Wolfensberger, a former House Rules Committee staffer. “So it’s a question of how you commemorate an incident: Do you have to give all federal workers a day off to make it significant? I don’t think so.”