25th Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks

Americans are observing the 25th anniversary of the tragic September 11 attacks. The attacks commenced with the first hijacked plane hitting the World Trade Center’s North Tower at 8:46 a.m., followed by a second plane striking the South Tower 17 minutes later. Both towers eventually collapsed. Another plane crashed into the Pentagon, while passengers on a fourth plane thwarted their attackers, leading to a crash in Pennsylvania. Nationwide, communities will gather on Friday in various ceremonies to commemorate the national tragedy.

New York’s Seventh Moment of Silence

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum in Manhattan will host its annual ceremony, traditionally featuring six moments of silence for the victims. These are timed to pivotal moments during the attacks: when each tower was struck, when they collapsed, and when planes crashed into the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. For the 25th anniversary, the museum has added a seventh moment of silence for those from lower Manhattan who have died due to related illnesses or injuries, surpassing the nearly 3,000 killed on September 11, 2001.

The seventh moment will follow the reading of names of those lost in both the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. This event will be livestreamed, beginning at 8:40 a.m. EDT, with the first moment of silence at 8:46 a.m.

Museum CEO Beth Hillman emphasized the importance of remembrance, noting that as time progresses, the vow to never forget becomes increasingly significant. Former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are expected to attend the ceremony.

Events at the Pentagon

President Donald Trump is set to speak at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial observance, commencing at 9 a.m. EDT. The memorial, established in memory of the 184 victims from the Pentagon attack, features benches dedicated to each victim. Located on the southeastern side, near the crash zone, the site is now an Affiliated Area of the National Park System, highlighting its national importance.

Construction for a $35 million visitor education center is projected to start a day after the anniversary, set to open by 2029. This ceremony will include a name-reading of victims and remarks from the president, streamed by PBS News.

Pennsylvania Memorial Events

The Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, will also observe the anniversary, honoring the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93. The memorial features a white marble wall tracking the flight path, ending where the plane crashed as a result of the passengers’ heroic actions.

Events will begin at 8:30 a.m. EDT near the Memorial Plaza. Scheduled activities include name readings, music, and the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance. A separate ceremony at 1 p.m. will feature guest speakers, such as Governor Josh Shapiro, and more musical performances, all livestreamed on YouTube.

PBS News Coverage

PBS News is commemorating the anniversary by reflecting on the day’s events and their enduring impact. A poignant story recounts pilot Heather “Lucky” Penney’s mission to intervene with Flight 93. Reporters who responded to the Pentagon recall the chaotic scene they faced. Judy Woodruff explores the ongoing effects of the attacks, as demonstrated at New York’s memorial site.

Lucille Clifton’s poetry provides a personal perspective on the tragedy, with her words expressing the immediate aftermath and the resilience through love, thoughts shared on the PBS News Hour’s fifth-anniversary broadcast.

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