Americans are observing a significant anniversary this week, marking 25 years since the September 11 attacks. That day began when a hijacked plane struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower at 8:46 a.m., followed 17 minutes later by a second plane hitting the South Tower. Both towers eventually collapsed. A third plane slammed into the Pentagon, and passengers bravely thwarted hijackers on a fourth plane, causing it to crash in Pennsylvania. Communities nationwide will hold various ceremonies on Friday to honor this tragic event.
Remembering the Victims in New York
In Manhattan, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum will hold a commemorative ceremony. Traditionally, six moments of silence are observed, corresponding to pivotal points in the attacks: the strikes on the World Trade Center, the collapses, and the crashes at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This year, a seventh moment of silence will be included to remember those who have died due to related illnesses and injuries, now exceeding the nearly 3,000 killed in the attacks.
The event will be livestreamed from 8:40 a.m. EDT, with the first moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., honoring the exact time the first plane hit the North Tower. This anniversary highlights the importance of remembrance, especially as not all Americans were alive or old enough to recall the tragedy, emphasized by museum CEO Beth Hillman.
Former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plan to attend the Ground Zero ceremony.
Ceremony at the Pentagon
A separate observance at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, will start at 9 a.m. EDT. President Donald Trump is anticipated to deliver remarks there. This memorial honors the 184 victims of the Pentagon attack with stainless steel benches symbolizing each person lost. The Pentagon’s ceremony will involve reading victims’ names and will be streamed live.
Recently, the Pentagon memorial site received designation as an “Affiliated Area of the National Park System,” signifying its national importance. Plans for a $35 million visitor education center near the site are underway, with completion expected by 2029.
Commemoration in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
The Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville will host a ceremony beginning at 8:30 a.m. EDT. United Flight 93’s passengers and crew were honored for their bravery in preventing the plane from reaching its intended target, crashing it instead in a field. Events will include reading names, musical tributes, and the ringing of Bells of Remembrance. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro will speak during the afternoon portion, with further music and wreath-laying at the Wall of Names. These events will be available on YouTube.
PBS News Reflection
PBS News will reflect on the anniversary by revisiting the day’s events and their ongoing impact. Coverage includes a story of pilot Heather “Lucky” Penney, who was prepared for a dire mission that day. Special reports from the Pentagon and its aftermath, and archival footage like poet Lucille Clifton’s work capturing her reactions to the tragedy, will also feature.
These efforts underscore the vital role journalism plays in preserving history and fostering a well-informed public.
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