One of the most devastating events of modern history, the 9/11 terrorist attacks shook not just the United Sates, but the entire world.
Years later, many still vividly remember the images of the Twin Towers on fire and exactly where they were when news broke on September 11.
The series of four coordinated terror attacks resulted in the deaths of almost 3,000 people, and the injuries of countless others.
However, despite its monumental impact on the US decades later, many wonder why it isn’t an American national holiday.
What year was 9/11?
The terror attacks that killed 2,997 people in total took place on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
This Saturday marks 20 years since the event.
A hijacked 767 jet, American Airlines Flight 11, flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Centre as locals watched on in shock.
Terrifyingly, a second plane, American Airlines Flight 175, hit the South Tower soon after.
There was further tragedy as a third hijacked plane, American Airlines Flight 77 was flown into the west side of the Pentagon military headquarters. A total of 125 people died, which included military personnel, civilians and all 64 people on the flight.
The fourth flight, United Flight 93, was hijacked and headed to California. While all 44 people aboard the flight were killed, they were suspected to have fought the hijackers after learning that the plane had been hijacked.
Why isn’t 9/11 a national holiday in the US?
While the anniversary of 9/11 is marked annually, it is not and is unlikely to ever be a national holiday.
This is because national holidays do not technically exist in the US.
No past Presidents nor Congress have ever asserted their power to declare a holiday across all 50 states.
However, every year, there are a selection of memorial events to mark the day including two beams of light shone in the Manhattan skyline.
Instead, the day has been marked as a ‘National Day of Service and Remembrance’ by Congress, which was named as ‘Patriot Day’ by lawmakers in 2001.
Patriot Day sees Americans hold memorial and commemorative events to remember the lives lost.
MORE : More Americans believe 9/11 changed the US for the worse than for the better
MORE : Acclaimed 9/11 photographer recalls how people ‘walked like zombies’ after tower fell
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