Opinions Editor Jonathan Saucedo is a three-year member of the Wildcat Chronicle who frequently writes opinion pieces. The views expressed in this piece are his own.

Tragedy struck on the day of 9/11, with many families losing their loved ones.

The youngest victim recorded was only two and a half years old.

And while 9/11 is a day that can be remembered in different ways – whether viewed as a day of remembrance or service – there should always be some sort of announcement or moment in which all Americans are reminded of the terrorist attack that occurred that day, and the loss of innocent lives.

The 9/11 attacks occurred 23 years ago, making it a relatively recent event in history. Many people are still coping with the loss of their loved ones from that day: a total of 2,996 individuals perished, and over 6,000 were injured, some of whom suffered life-threatening conditions due to the debris from the towers. While the effects are not often talked about, around 20% of those who witnessed the Twin Towers’ collapse developed post-traumatic stress disorder, and this condition persisted for 5-6 years after the event, on average.

While the concept of a high school administrator making an announcement on that day seems reasonable, is a brief statement enough?

No. 

A day off from school and work would allow those still grieving to visit their loved ones’ graves or take time to reflect without the burden of everyday responsibilities. Just as students have a day off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an event of equal importance should be given the same recognition. Moreover, many high school students today have only a limited understanding of 9/11, having learned about it in history classes but lacking a personal connection to its impact. A dedicated day off would provide an opportunity for deeper reflection and education, ensuring that the significance of 9/11 is meaningfully communicated to younger generations.

“It is our hope that by making Sept. 11 a national holiday, we can once again rekindle that spirit of togetherness felt that afternoon and in the days and months that followed,” Julie Menin and Joann Ariola, writers for NY Daily News, said.

High schoolers know 9/11 is a day of great significance, but there are limits to what they can do while maintaining normal daily routines. A day off to spend time with family and friends, reflecting on love for one another, is a respectful way to honor those who were lost and those who served during and after 9/11. Schools have breaks for Thanksgiving and winter, which, while important, are less impactful than 9/11—yet that day is still treated as business as usual in schools.

In the end, all schools and workplaces across America should implement a day off on 9/11, giving students and families the time and space to remember what happened and pay respects to the innocent lives lost on that day.