The United States marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on Friday, September 11, 2026, holding solemn remembrance ceremonies across the country to honor the nearly 3,000 victims. Leaders and families gathered at Ground Zero in New York, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to reflect on a quarter-century of profound national change.
Marking a Quarter-Century at Ground Zero
The annual commemoration ceremony in lower Manhattan began early Friday morning at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum site. Family members gathered at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza as the names of those killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the 2001 attacks were read aloud.
The observance opened with the first moment of silence at 8:46 am, marking the moment the first passenger plane hijacked by terrorists affiliated with al-Qaida struck the north tower. Seven moments of silence were observed this year. Alongside the traditional six moments for the twin towers, the Pentagon, and Flight 93, organizers added a seventh tribute dedicated to the thousands of individuals who have died from illnesses linked to 9/11 and its aftermath in the years since.
Prominent figures attended the lower Manhattan gathering. Current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined former mayors Michael Bloomberg, Rudy Giuliani, and Bill de Blasio. Federal leaders, including Joe Biden and Jill Biden, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, stood alongside Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Geopolitical Rhetoric and the Pentagon Ceremony
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the Arlington County site where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed.
Speaking to the crowd, Trump framed the 25th anniversary as a renewal of the country’s commitment to fight terrorism. The president stated, “We will never, ever forget. That’s why we fight today. We don’t have a choice. There can only be victory.” Trump used the platform to justify his decision to go to war with Iran, asserting that US troops were working to ensure the Islamic Republic of Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also addressed the Pentagon gathering. He linked the events of September 11 directly to the US war with Iran, describing both as part of a continuing religious and civilizational struggle. Hegseth credited Trump with dismantling Iran’s military capabilities and vowed sustained vigilance against threats including Islamic terrorists abroad and at home.
Acts of Resistance and Remembrance Across the Nation
Beyond the primary federal sites, communities nationwide held vigils and wreath-laying events. In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a gathering at the Flight 93 National Memorial honored the 40 people on Flight 93 who took action.
Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told attendees that the actions of those on Flight 93 were incredibly heroic. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized that people in Pennsylvania carry a special responsibility to all those lost in 9/11 and to all who bear the scars of that day. Gordon Felt, brother of passenger Edward P. Felt, reflected on the solidarity forged during those critical 35 minutes, noting how citizens fought the first battle in a long war.
In Boston, family members gathered at the Garden of Remembrance for a wreath-laying ceremony. Mayor Michelle Wu and Governor Maura Healey joined residents to honor Massachusetts victims. Patricia Cahill Hoban, who lost her brother John Cahill on United Airlines Flight 175, shared a message of reconciliation with the crowd, stating, “Hate cannot drive out hate.” Earlier, Massachusetts Port Authority Chief Thomas Kinton at Boston Logan International Airport—where both Flight 11 and Flight 175 took off—reflected on the harrowing initial hours of the crisis.
Key Commemoration Sites and Notable Attendees
| Location | Key Event | Notable Attendees / Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Zero, New York City | Reading of names, 7 moments of silence | Zohran Mamdani, Joe & Jill Biden, Barack & Michelle Obama, George W. & Laura Bush, Bill & Hillary Clinton, JD Vance |
| The Pentagon, Virginia | National security addresses | Donald & Melania Trump, Pete Hegseth |
| Flight 93 Memorial, Shanksville, PA | Wall of Names tribute and community reflection | Doug Burgum, Josh Shapiro, Gordon Felt |
| Garden of Remembrance, Boston, MA | Wreath-laying and local memorial services | Michelle Wu, Maura Healey, Patricia Cahill Hoban |
Looking Forward After Twenty-Five Years
The inclusion of illness-related victims in this year’s official moments of silence highlights a crisis that continues to affect survivors and rescue workers alike.
