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Americans are marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with ceremonies, moments of silence and acts of service. The nation is honoring 2,977 people killed in the coordinated terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Families gathered Friday at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City. Other observances took place at the Pentagon and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.
Ceremonies Mark the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
The New York ceremony centered on the annual reading of victims’ names by family members. The program also honored those killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Seven moments of silence marked important times from the attacks and their aftermath. Six recognized when the towers were struck and fell, the Pentagon attack and the Flight 93 crash. A seventh honored people who later died from 9/11-related illnesses and injuries.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum began its program at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. The first silence came at 8:46 a.m., when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower.
The National Park Service also held ceremonies near the Wall of Names at the Flight 93 National Memorial. Bells marked the attacks’ timeline, while family members presented the names of Flight 93’s passengers and crew.
Remembering the Victims and First Responders
The attacks claimed lives in New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The victims included airline passengers, office workers, military personnel and emergency responders.
Among those killed were 343 New York City firefighters and paramedics. Twenty-three New York Police Department officers also died. Hundreds of other emergency workers joined rescue efforts in the towers and surrounding streets.
Their actions became a lasting part of the nation’s remembrance. Many first responders entered burning buildings while thousands of people tried to escape.
The attacks also left enduring health consequences. Rescue workers, cleanup crews, survivors and area residents faced exposure to hazardous dust and debris.
The federal World Trade Center Health Program now serves nearly 150,000 members nationwide. It provides monitoring and treatment for qualifying physical and mental health conditions linked to 9/11.
Teaching a New Generation
The anniversary carries added importance because many Americans have no personal memory of the attacks. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum estimates that 100 million Americans were born later or were too young to remember.
Schools, museums and families now hold greater responsibility for preserving the history. That work includes explaining the attacks and recognizing the courage, compassion and unity that followed.
The museum introduced new educational programming for the anniversary. Its digital learning experience includes accounts from a survivor, a first responder and victims’ relatives.
President Donald Trump proclaimed Sept. 11, 2026, as Patriot Day. He directed federal facilities to fly American flags at half-staff in memory of the victims.
Congress first designated Sept. 11 as Patriot Day in December 2001. The date also became a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
AmeriCorps encourages communities to honor the anniversary through volunteer projects. Those efforts may include supporting veterans, first responders, food banks and neighborhood organizations.
Twenty-five years later, remembrance extends beyond recounting a national tragedy. It also means preserving victims’ stories, caring for affected families and supporting responders who still face health challenges. Community service and education can help carry that responsibility into the next generation.