HISTORY

On September 11, 2001, the United States experienced one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in its history. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attacks, orchestrated by the extremist group al-Qaeda, involved the hijacking of four commercial airplanes. Two of these planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing the buildings to collapse. Another plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, while the fourth, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control from the hijackers.

The attacks had a profound impact on the nation, leading to a surge in patriotism and a renewed sense of public service. In the aftermath of 9/11, more than a quarter-million Americans with no prior military experience enlisted in the military, according to Pew Research Center. The attacks also led to the U.S. launching the War on Terror, which included the invasion of Afghanistan less than a month after the attacks.

In the years following the attacks, concerns about terrorism remained high. Defending the country from future terrorist attacks has been a top priority for Americans since 2002.

Today, the 9/11 attacks are remembered as one of the most significant events in American history. Memorials have been erected at the sites of the attacks, including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City and the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. These sites serve as a reminder of the lives lost and the resilience of the American people in the face of adversity.

NEW YORK

Today, New York City marks the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks with a solemn ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The event honors the 2,983 men, women, and children who lost their lives in the 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center site, the Pentagon, aboard Flight 93, and those killed in the February 26, 1993, World Trade Center bombing.

The commemoration ceremony is primarily for the family members of the victims, who are invited to participate in the annual reading of the names. Throughout the ceremony, six moments of silence will be observed, acknowledging when each of the World Trade Center towers was struck and fell, and the times corresponding to the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93. The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the first moment of silence observed at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The reading of the names will continue until all have been honored according to ABC7NY.

As the sun goes down, the Tribute in Light will be illuminated near the location where the Twin Towers once stood. This tribute, visible from various points across the city, serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost on that tragic day according to NewYorkCity.ca.

PENTAGON

The Pentagon Memorial, the first national memorial dedicated to the 184 lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, stands as a poignant reminder of the tragic events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. The memorial, located in Arlington, Virginia, is visited by over a million people each year, according to the Pentagon Memorial Fund.

The memorial is a testament to the collective history of the United States and serves as a symbol of unity. It is a place where visitors can reflect on the events of that fateful day and honor those who lost their lives. The Pentagon Memorial Fund is currently working to build an education center at the site to provide context and perspective to visitors.

The education center will feature high-tech, hands-on exhibits that tell the stories of the people who perished, how the world responded, and how it changed after that day. The goal is to have the education center opened by the 25th Anniversary of 9/11. The fund aims to raise $35 million for the project, with about $15 million raised so far.

The U.S. Department of Defense commemorates the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks each year with a ceremony honoring the lives lost. This year, the U.S. flag was unfurled at the Pentagon at 6:46 a.m. EDT, followed by speeches from the secretary of defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pennsylvania Service at Flight 93

The 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks was commemorated with a Service of Remembrance at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. The ceremony, which began at 9:45 am, was open to the public and was also live-streamed via the Flight 93 National Memorial YouTube channel. A public wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Memorial Plaza near the Wall of Names, according to the National Park Service.

The U.S. is remembering the lives taken and those reshaped by 9/11, marking an anniversary laced this year with presidential campaign politics. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump were both expected to attend 9/11 observances at the World Trade Center in New York and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, as reported by U.S. News.

The attacks on September 11, 2001, killed nearly 3,000 people and left thousands of bereaved relatives and scarred survivors. The planes carved a gash in the Pentagon, the U.S. military headquarters, and brought down the trade center's twin towers, which were among the world's tallest buildings. The catastrophe also altered U.S. foreign policy, domestic security practices, and the mindset of many Americans who had not previously felt vulnerable to attacks by foreign extremists.

Mike Miller