New York public schools are now required by law to have a moment of silence every September 11^th to honor the memory of those who lost their lives on that tragic day in 2001.

A recent poll on NJ.com asked if New Jersey residents should be required to do the same.

I say yes. Absolutely!

In fact, I think we should take things a step further by making the entire day a national holiday.

Although September 11 is now commonly referred to as Patriot Day, most are still left to grieve in their offices and classrooms since it’s still not recognized as a federal holiday (editor’s note:  “holiday” may not be the best term.  Instead it would be a national day of reflection similar to Memorial Day).

Here’s the current list of Federal Holidays in chronological order:

New Year’s Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day)

Memorial Day

Independence Day (4th of July)

Labor Day

Columbus Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

(Inauguration Day is also a paid federal holiday every four years on January 20th or the 21st if the 20th is a Sunday)

Fittingly, Patriot Day would become the 11^th federal holiday or if we had to drop one to keep the list at 10, Columbus Day has been increasingly controversial in recent years…ijs.

I’d personally like to see Juneteenth (in recognition of the end of slavery in America) become a nationally recognized federal holiday as well, but we can save that debate for June.

Obviously, I’m biased in favor of never forgetting September 11^th. I grew up in the town that lost the most lives (37) outside of NYC that day, Middletown, NJ.

So clearly, we’re more sensitive toward this subject in the northeast, but what about the rest of you?

What’s the national pulse on this subject? I already know what most people in the NY metro region are likely to say, but I’m curious to know how you feel in Idaho, Mississippi or Oregon for example.

The tributes and national TV coverage have become harder to find in recent years.

We haven’t even hit the 20-year anniversary of these tragic attacks, but the coverage is already beginning to resemble that of Pearl Harbor.

2,300 American lives were also lost in Honolulu that day, but do you even remember the date? If so, sign up for Who Wants to be a Millionaire immediately, because most people don’t!

Is that the same unfortunate trajectory we’re heading with September 11^th?
The news cycle spins so fast now that events from even last month seem like long lost distant memories.

The legacies of those who lost their lives on September 11th are way too important for us to allow for that to happen though.

You promised to never forget…but have you?

What are your thoughts? Comment Below!

ex: Do you feel that Patriot Day should be recognized on a state by state basis, as a national holiday or not at all? Please explain your answer.

ex: Do you feel that the current amount 9/11 tributes on national tv is appropriate, too little or too much?

Today’s Soundtrack:

One Sweet Day – Mariah Carey ft. Boyz II Men

I’ll be Missing You – Puff Daddy ft. Faith Evans and 112

Crossroads – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Relevant Links:

Check out my personal 9/11 story (first published in 2017) by clicking here!

Check out the follow-up alternative perspective (first published in 2018) by clicking here!

Check out the full list of names that appear on the 9/11 Memorial by clicking here!