Key facts
- The US is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
- Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks.
- The national September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City will hold its annual commemoration ceremony.
- Former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton are expected to attend the New York ceremony.
- Donald Trump is expected to commemorate the anniversary at the Pentagon.
- Over 170,000 documents related to health concerns and air quality after the attacks were released by the Mamdani administration.
The United States is observing the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with a series of remembrance ceremonies and memorials across the country. The attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people, involved hijacked airplanes crashing into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
In New York City, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum will host its annual commemoration ceremony starting at 8:30 a.m. local time. Families of victims are expected to gather at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza to read aloud the names of those who perished in both the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the 2001 attacks, as well as those who have since died from 9/11-related illnesses. Seven moments of silence will mark the times of the tower collapses, the Pentagon attack, and the crash of Flight 93.
Notable attendees at the New York ceremony are expected to include current and former city leaders, as well as former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump is scheduled to commemorate the anniversary at the Pentagon, while J.D. Vance is also expected at the New York event.
In the days leading up to the anniversary, the Mamdani administration released over 170,000 documents concerning the health impacts, air quality, and the city's response following the attacks, with some records suggesting that residents were misled about post-attack air safety. A drone show on Wednesday night depicted the twin towers over New York Harbor using 2,977 lights, one for each victim.
New York City firefighters will also hold a ceremony on the Upper West Side to honor the 343 members of the department who died on 9/11. In Virginia, the national 9/11 Pentagon Memorial will be closed to the public for its observance ceremony. Pennsylvania's Flight 93 National Memorial will host ceremonies including a reading of names and a wreath-laying, with an additional candle lantern ceremony planned for Saturday.