Today marks 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which left nearly 3,000 people dead and forever changed the United States.
On that morning, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both towers to collapse. A third plane struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Passengers and crew members aboard the fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, fought back against the hijackers before the plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The attacks killed 2,977 people and led to sweeping changes in national security and U.S. foreign policy, including the war in Afghanistan.
The anniversary is being commemorated throughout the day with events across the country. Ceremonies are being held at each of the three sites where the attacks unfolded.
Nation remembers victims of 9/11 as US marks 25 years since attacks
World Trade Center
The names of those killed at the World Trade Center were read during a ceremony attended by Vice President JD Vance and the nation’s four living former presidents. The reading paused for moments of silence at key times during the attacks:
- 8:46 a.m., when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower
- 9:03 a.m., when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower
- 9:37 a.m., when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon
- 9:59 a.m., when the South Tower collapsed
- 10:03 a.m., when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania
- 10:28 a.m., when the North Tower collapsed
More than 2,600 people were killed at the World Trade Center site. In the years since, many first responders have continued to suffer illnesses linked to the aftermath of the attacks.
Pentagon
President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine attended a Friday morning ceremony in the Pentagon Center Courtyard.
“In those harrowing days after the attacks, we saw the authentic spirit of our nation,” Trump told those on hand.
President Trump attends 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon
Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, killing 184 people, most of them inside the building.
Trump used the speech to tie the attacks of 9/11 to the ongoing war against Iran.
“For 25 years, our best and bravest have kept America safe, and today, we salute every member of the United States military who served in the War on Terror. It is a war on sick, horrible terror. We salute our first responders and law enforcement, and we love them. And we salute the service members working right now to ensure the world’s No. 1 sponsor of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran, will never, ever have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said to applause.
Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Multiple ceremonies were planned Friday at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where 44 people died after passengers fought hijackers and forced the plane down.
A morning observance included a reading of the names of the passengers and crew members. Officials also rang the Bells of Remembrance in their honor.
An afternoon ceremony included remarks, keynote speakers, music and a public wreath-laying ceremony.
Remembering the Global War on Terror
Remembering the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism
Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, the U.S. and allies began years of military conflict against Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other groups.
Scripps News’ international correspondent Jason Bellini recalls covering the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and how the U.S. response to 9/11 has shaped modern conflicts, including in Ukraine.
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