Ceremonies were held across the United States on Friday to commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijackers crashed aircraft into New York’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon near Washington. A fourth plane came down near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew attempted to regain control.
Families gather at Ground Zero
At the National September 11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan, relatives spent several hours reading the names of those killed in the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Six moments of silence marked the times when the two towers were struck and collapsed, as well as the attacks at the Pentagon and near Shanksville. For the first time, a seventh silence formally honoured people who later died from illnesses connected to 9/11.
US Vice-President JD Vance attended the New York ceremony alongside former presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Former first ladies and other political and civic leaders also joined the gathering.
The anniversary brought together leaders from different political generations in a rare public display of unity.
After nightfall, two powerful beams representing the former Twin Towers rose above Lower Manhattan as part of the annual Tribute in Light. Buildings across New York were also illuminated in blue.
Trump attends Pentagon ceremony
President Donald Trump marked the anniversary at the Pentagon, accompanied by members of his administration and former national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.
Trump paid tribute to the victims, their families, first responders and members of the armed forces. He also spoke about continuing threats facing the United States and connected the country’s response to terrorism after 9/11 with his administration’s current approach to Iran.
In a proclamation issued ahead of the anniversary, Trump designated September 11 as Patriot Day and ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff in memory of the 2,977 people killed in the attacks.
A separate remembrance was held at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, where relatives and visitors gathered near the Wall of Names.
Health consequences continue
The anniversary also drew attention to the lasting health effects experienced by survivors, emergency workers and people exposed to toxic dust and smoke after the World Trade Center collapsed.
According to the US World Trade Center Health Program, more than 96,000 people have been diagnosed with physical or mental health conditions associated with their exposure to the attacks and their aftermath.
Many continue to experience chronic illnesses, while others have died from related conditions. Health specialists expect these effects to remain evident for decades.
During the New York ceremony, Terry Strada, whose husband Tom was killed at the World Trade Center, renewed calls for answers about alleged Saudi links to the attackers.
Saudi authorities have consistently denied involvement. The official 9/11 Commission previously reported that it found no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution, or senior Saudi officials individually, funded al-Qaeda.
Tributes held beyond the United States
Commemorative events also took place internationally.
In Gander, Newfoundland, residents remembered how the Canadian town received thousands of passengers after 38 aircraft were diverted there when American airspace closed on September 11, 2001.
US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra thanked the community for the food, shelter and support it provided to stranded travellers. Former Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien also addressed the gathering, reflecting on the friendship between the two countries while emphasising Canada’s strength and independence.
Ceremonies were held at Buckingham Palace and Lloyd’s of London, while firefighters in Milan completed a memorial stair climb in honour of the emergency responders who died at the World Trade Center.
Wearing uniforms and carrying equipment, the firefighters climbed the equivalent of 110 floors—the number of storeys in each of the Twin Towers.
A quarter of a century later, the anniversary served not only as a memorial to those who died, but also as a reminder of the courage of first responders, the continuing experiences of survivors and the importance of passing the history of 9/11 to generations born after the attacks.
