America Observes 24th Anniversary of 9/11 with Solemn Ceremonies

Lead The United States marked the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on Thursday with coordinated ceremonies at Ground Zero in New York, the Pentagon in Virginia, and the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, honoring the 2,977 victims and reaffirming a vow to never forget.

Nut Graf Commemorations featured dignitaries, family readings of victims’ names, moments of silence at attack times, and community service events nationwide, underscoring both collective grief and enduring resilience nearly a quarter-century after al-Qaida’s assaults changed the country forever.

New York City Ceremony At the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan, hundreds gathered-including Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, and former Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg-to observe six moments of silence marking each impact and collapse of the Twin Towers. Family members, some reading names of loved ones for the first time, delivered poignant tributes to parents, siblings, and grandparents killed in the attacks, many recounting inherited traits and untold dreams.

Pentagon Tribute Simultaneously in Arlington, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participated in a wreath-laying at the Pentagon to honor the 184 service members and civilian employees killed when Flight 77 struck the building. Trump’s remarks recalled the heroism of first responders and pledged to defend the nation’s values and freedoms, renewing “America’s sacred promise to protect its people”.

Shanksville Service In rural Pennsylvania, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins led a ceremony at the Flight 93 National Memorial, featuring name readings, wreath-laying, and a moment of silence at 10:03 a.m.-the time Flight 93 crashed after passengers thwarted hijackers. Attendees paid tribute to the crew and passengers whose sacrifice prevented further attacks on Washington, D.C..

Nationwide Acts of Service Beyond official ceremonies, Americans engaged in volunteer efforts-food and clothing drives, park cleanups, blood donations, and charity runs-reflecting 9/11’s evolution into a national day of service alongside remembrance.

Heightened Security and Context This year’s observances occurred amid heightened security following the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and concurrent United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, prompting street closures around Ground Zero and the Pentagon.

Legacy and Impact The 9/11 attacks claimed 2,977 lives and reshaped U.S. policy, prompting the Global War on Terror and military operations abroad. First responders have continued to suffer chronic illnesses linked to Ground Zero exposures, with over 48,000 diagnoses reported to the World Trade Center Health Program to date. These ceremonies reaffirm a unified national commitment to honor the fallen, support survivors, and uphold the freedoms they defended.