The United States observed the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on Friday, holding remembrance ceremonies at the three primary sites struck nearly a quarter-century ago. The events honored the nearly 3,000 victims killed when members of Al-Qaeda hijacked commercial aircraft and crashed them into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.
At the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, visitors paused at the reflecting pools to pay their respects. Dignitaries in attendance included all living former presidents, Vice President JD Vance, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick was also seen at the memorial ahead of the proceedings.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump spoke during the ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, where an American flag hung from the building’s exterior. First lady Melania Trump accompanied him as they listened to the national anthem. Military personnel and first responders gathered to mark the occasion at the site.
In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, families of victims and citizens gathered to commemorate the fourth plane, which crashed after passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers. The crash prevented the aircraft from reaching its suspected target, believed to be the U.S. Capitol.
The attacks, which occurred in 2001, triggered the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and initiated the global “War on Terror.” As the nation marked this milestone anniversary, images captured moments of silence, first responders saluting, and families holding photographs of loved ones lost, including relatives of FDNY firefighters.
I never thought a quarter century would pass this quickly. These ceremonies are vital, but we need to remember the real people behind the headlines.
Twenty-five years later, the grief still feels fresh. The silence at Shanksville must have been deafening.