Patriot Day falls on 11th September (also commonly known as ‘Nine-Eleven’) and is remembered globally as the anniversary of the catastrophic terrorist attacks on the USA of 11th September 2001.
Embedded in the memories of everyone who lived through it, this was the day four jet planes were hijacked and crashed into the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, causing the deaths of 2,977 people. The fourth plane (United Airlines Flight 93) was directed at Washington DC, but its passengers bravely attempted to take back control and it crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The large majority of those lost after the attacks on the Twin Towers were working at or above the points of collision; thousands of people who had gone to work that morning like every other day, found themselves suddenly stranded at the top of a burning skyscraper. A number made the choice to jump from the flaming buildings rather than wait to be caught by the flames or for the building to collapse. No one could forget the terrifying and heartbreaking stories and images captured by the news footage of the day.
In the wake of the World Trade Center collisions, many brave men and women from the emergency services risked their lives to try to help rescue victims of the attacks, and of them 411 lost their own lives attempting to fight fires and rescue people.
Patriot Day is recognized by US law as the official day of remembrance for these tragic events, and has been observed every year since. Each year on this day, American flags are flown at half-staff to honour and commemorate those lives lost. The US President asks fellow Americans to observe a moment of silence at 8.46am (Eastern Daylight Time), the time of the first plane collision into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
While the events took place within the USA, the shock and grief experienced in response to the attacks was shared across the globe, and for this reason Patriot Day will be observed not only in America, but all over the world.
And here what else is going on around the sound.
Washington State Fair DO THE PUYALLUP!!!
Sept. 11-27 Concerts, carnival rides, 4-H animals and displays, vendors, food. It’s the largest, oldest and most popular fair in the state. Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup; $7.50-$12.50 (253-841-5045 or thefair.com).
Scavenger hunt at the fair September 12, 2015 (3 p.m.) XPLORE is a team race to solve clues and complete challenges as you travel on foot at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. It includes fair admission.
Vashon Sheepdog Classic
September 10 – 13 Brings a chair or blanket to watch Sheepdogs in action! Highly trained dogs compete in the field. You can shop, food & fiber arts vendors. Weekend shuttle.
Star Trek comedy
September 10 – 19, Where No Man Has Gone Before is a parody of the original Star Trek TV series, improvised with audience suggestions at Theatre Off Jackson, (8 p.m.) Discount tickets $11.
Cider Summit Seattle
September 11 – 12; Try 100 artisanal ciders from the NW and around the world, eat fine food, and hear live music outdoors at South Lake Union Discovery Center. Must be 21 due to alcohol content.
San Gennaro festival
September 11 – 13; Enjoy Italian cuisine, a beer and wine garden, an Italian-American band, and a kids’ area on Angelo St. in Georgetown. Free.
Get your Philately Groove on at the Stamp collector show
September 11 – 13, See postage stamps, or get your collection reviewed at “What’s in Your Attic” at Seattle Philatelic Exhibition (SEAPEX) at Tukwila Community Center. Free.
Puget Sound Bird Fest
September 11-13 Speakers, guided walks, land and water-based field trips, exhibits, educational activities for all ages, Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St., Edmonds (425-771-0227 or pugetsoundbirdfest.org).
Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival
September 11-13, 5K/10K run, art, music, food, beer garden, bands, salmon, a parade and fireworks 3 p.m.-midnight Sept. 11, 8 a.m.-midnight p.m. Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 13, Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, 609 Front St., Mukilteo; Children’s Parade and Grand Parade, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 12, Harbour Point Boulevard North, Mukilteo (425-353-5516 or mukfest.com).
Pacific Northwest Concours d’Elegance
September 11-13, See rare restored cars with optional Friday road trip and Saturday dinner. 8 a.m. Sept. 11, 6-10:30 p.m. Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 13, LeMay-America’s Car Museum, 2702 East D St., Tacoma; $10-$35 (253-779-8490 oramericascarmuseum.org/event/pnw-concours-delegance).
Wooden boat festival & craft fair
September 11 – 13, See 300 boats and boating demonstrations, and meet expert craftsmen and wooden boat enthusiasts in Port Townsend. Just down the street is Crafts By The Dock crafts fair Sat. & Sun.
Westport Blues Festival
September 11 – 13, Hear a dozen top blues acts in the historic fishing town of Westport.
Night Market and Autumn Moon Festival
September 12, (6 p.m. to midnight)30 food trucks, a beer garden, vendors, and an all-ages dance party at Union Station Plaza near Chinatown. Free.
Tilth’s Harvest Fair
September 12, A community festival with good food, cider pressing, live music, farm animals, workshops, cooking demos, and a noon parade with marching band at Meridian Park. Free.
Arts-A-Glow
September 12, (5 to 10 p.m.) Entertainment, food trucks, an 8 p.m. lantern procession with a band, and a dance party at Dottie Harper Park in Burien. Free.
Round the Rock
September 12, Watch stand-up paddleboarders race 13 miles around Mercer Island for $10,000. Includes a 3.5 miler, a kids’ race, retailers, and food at Newcastle Beach Park in south Bellevue.
Hops & Crops Music & Beer Fest
September 12, (12 to 6 p.m.)Features craft beer, live music, barbecue, and craft vendors at Mary Olson Farm in Auburn. Bring age 21 ID.
Seattle Design block party
September 12 – 13, See creative large-scale designs plus live entertainment at Occidental Park in Pioneer Square. It’s the highlight of Seattle Design Week, which ends Sept. 25.
BIG Fall Book sale
September 12 – 13, Browse 100,000 titles starting at $1 at the book sale put on by Friends of The Seattle Public Library, indoors at Magnuson Park. Free.
Japanese Cultural Arts Event (Aki Matsuri)
Sept. 12-13 Japanese cultural and educational activities for all ages, See Japanese artists in action, martial arts, culinary arts, and a tea ceremony at Aki Matsuri fall festival; Sept. 12 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Bellevue College, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue; free ().
Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl & Medieval Faire
September 12 – 13, Launch a pumpkin 1000 feet, watch knights battle, and play in a medieval village at at Alexander Farm in Snohomish. Now who wouldn’t want furl a pumpkin!?
Olympic Music Festival
September 12 – 13, Hear world-class concerts on the lawn or in the barn in Quilcene.
Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural festival
September 13, Songs, live performances, films, historical exhibits, visual arts, hands-on activities, food, and traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts at Seattle Center. Free.
Auburn Art Walk/Wine Tasting
Sept. 11 Local art, wine tasting and live music, 5-9 p.m. Sept. 11, downtown Auburn; wine-tasting tickets $15 (253-931-3000 or auburnwa.gov).
Newcastle Days
Sept. 11-12 Entertainment, food, car show, 6 p.m. Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 12, Lake Boren Park, Southeast 84th Avenue and Coal Creek Parkway Southeast, Newcastle (425-649-4444 or ci.newcastle.wa.us).
International Festival
Sept. 12-13 Music, crafts and food, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 13, Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Blvd., SeaTac (206-973-4680 or ).
Bicycle Sundays
Sept. 13 Scenic boulevard for cyclists and walkers, closed to vehicle traffic, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 13; Lake Washington Boulevard from Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park, Seattle (seattle.gov/parks/bicyclesunday)
Bonus Trivia
Why is a presentation sometimes called a “dog and pony” show?
A “dog and pony” show originally described a small circus which had little to offer in the way of animal life. No elephants, lions, bears, or horses, just dogs and ponies. After a period of time, this expression was used to describe any unimpressive performance
Whatever you do this weekend, stay safe and have fun.