U.S. House joint resolution 71 was approved by a vote of 407-0 on October 25 2001. It requested that the President designate September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day." President George W. Bush signed the resolution into law on December 18 2001(as Public Law 107-89).
On September 4 2002, President Bush used his authority created by the resolution and proclaimed September 11 2002 as Patriot Day. On September 4 2003, he issued a similar proclamation for September 11, 2003.
Greeting card companies have released Patriot Day cards.
This designation should not to be confused with Patriot's Day, a holiday that is celebrated in the state of Massachusetts.