Washington/New York: The United States has marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, remembering the 2,977 people who were killed and the thousands of first responders and others whose lives were later affected by illnesses linked to the aftermath of the attacks. Major commemorations were held in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Trump: ‘We will never, ever forget’
President Donald Trump attended the principal ceremony at the Pentagon along with First Lady Melania Trump.
In his remarks, Trump repeated a powerful pledge: “We will never, ever forget.” He said the United States was renewing the commitment it made in the aftermath of the attacks and emphasized the continuing importance of national security and the fight against terrorism.
The names of the 184 people killed at the Pentagon were read aloud during the ceremony, with a bell tolling after each name. A large American flag was also unfurled over the section of the Pentagon struck by the hijacked aircraft.
Ground Zero remembers the victims
At Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan, families of victims, survivors, first responders and political leaders gathered for a solemn ceremony.
Vice President JD Vance and former presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden attended the New York commemoration. The ceremony included the traditional reading of victims’ names and moments of silence marking the major stages of the attacks.
This year’s ceremony also included an additional moment of silence recognizing people who later died from illnesses associated with the 9/11 aftermath.
What happened on September 11, 2001?
On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaida operatives hijacked four commercial aircraft.
Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York. A third aircraft struck the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers attempted to fight back against the hijackers.
A total of 2,977 people were killed in the attacks.
An attack that changed the world
The attacks transformed America’s national security policies and foreign relations. They triggered a major expansion of the U.S. war on terror and reshaped global counterterrorism efforts.
The consequences also extended far beyond the day itself. Thousands of firefighters, police officers, emergency workers and other people exposed to toxic dust and pollution at Ground Zero later developed serious illnesses. The health legacy of 9/11 remains an important part of the anniversary commemorations.
Victims’ families continue to seek answers
Even after a quarter of a century, some victims’ families continue to demand greater accountability over unresolved questions surrounding the attacks.
At the 25th-anniversary ceremony in New York, representatives of victims’ families raised concerns about the alleged role of Saudi Arabia and called for greater transparency and accountability.
Keeping the memory alive
For Americans born after 2001, 9/11 is increasingly a historical event rather than a personal memory. The 25th-anniversary ceremonies therefore carried an additional message: ensuring that younger generations understand the human cost and historical impact of the attacks.
A quarter of a century later, the central message of America’s remembrance remains unchanged:
“Never, ever forget.”
