Schools in Pennsylvania observe a minute of silence to commemorate the tragic events of September 11

All students across Pennsylvania will observe a moment of silence on Wednesday to reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

It is the start of what is now a mandatory annual memorial event to commemorate the terrorist attacks of September 11, which killed 2,996 people in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Governor Josh Shapiro signed a law in June requiring public and private schools to observe a moment of silence.

The new law also directs the state Department of Education to develop and deliver a model curriculum starting next year to help students understand the significance of that day's events.

On September 11, Islamic terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners. Two flew into the World Trade Center, causing the collapse of the Twin Towers, and one into the Pentagon. A fourth plane was believed to be en route to the U.S. Capitol when passengers resisted and forced the plane to land in rural Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Mark Blanchard, superintendent of the Cumberland Valley School District, said principals from all schools in the district would read a prepared statement to begin the moment of silence, and teachers have been provided with materials in case students have questions.

As in the past, St. Margaret Mary Catholic School in Harrisburg will mark the day with the playing of the tattoo, followed by a moment of silence and a prayer, said Principal JoAnn Cantos.

The West Shore School District will observe a moment of silence in the morning while individual school principals decide how to prepare students for the event and related classes, spokesman Bradon Long said.

Schools in the Mechanicsburg School District will commemorate the victims of Sept. 11, but each building will do so in its own age-appropriate way, spokeswoman Tracy Panzer said.

The bill requiring schools to document the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil passed unanimously in the House and Senate.

According to the Department of Education, this is the only statewide moment of silence in Pennsylvania schools. The department has published teaching materials that it is making available.

The bill was sponsored by Democratic Rep. Jim Haddock of Luzerne County, although several lawmakers had introduced bills since 2006 to encourage or require observance of the day.

Haddock was mayor of Avoca, a small community 150 miles from New York City, at the time of the attacks. He said he remembers the day clearly and the phone calls from the FBI and Secret Service advising the community to patrol the local airport and be on the lookout for unusual activity.

“You wouldn't think that a small town like Avoca could be a possible target,” he recalled that day. “It was scary.”

But today's students were not yet born when the horrific events of that day occurred and may not be aware of the heroic actions of passengers and rescue workers that saved countless lives.

This fact was not lost on lawmakers, who cited it as a reason for the day's adoption. They saw it as a way to ensure that future generations of Americans would understand the day's significance.

“September 11 was the darkest day in our country since Pearl Harbor,” said Senator Doug Mastriano (Republican of Franklin County), who introduced a bill similar to Haddock's bill and passed the Senate last year. “Yet I am shocked that this pivotal moment in our history goes largely unnoticed in public schools each year and is absent from state academic standards for history, civics and politics.”

He said: “This bill ensures that this defining moment of our generation is not forgotten and reminds us of the precious lives lost that day and the families they left behind. We promised over 20 years ago that we would never forget what happened on September 11, 2011. This bill keeps that promise.”

Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York County) also proposed a bill that would require the state Department of Education to develop a model 9/11 curriculum. She looks forward to having that material made available to schools next year.

“As we mark another anniversary of September 11, it is more important than ever to help students understand the profound impact of that day and the events leading up to and following that dark day in American history,” Phillips-Hill said.

Haddock, who is in his first term, said he is proud that this is his first bill. He said he knew some schools had held voluntary celebrations of the day, and this measure will ensure that happens everywhere. New York is one of the states that has passed a similar law.

“It was just a watershed moment for all Americans,” Haddock said. “This bill will help ensure that people don't forget that America was attacked on our soil.”

Jan Murphy can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X at @JanMurphy.