US marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 with tribute to victims of attacks
The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with ceremonies honoring the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives and remembering one of the darkest days in the nation’s modern history. Memorial events are being held at key locations connected to the attacks, including New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Families of victims, survivors, first responders and government officials are gathering to pay tribute and reflect on the lasting impact of September 11. In New York, the names of those killed in the attacks are being read during a solemn ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Moments of silence mark the times when the hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center towers and when the towers collapsed. The anniversary also highlights the extraordinary courage of firefighters, police officers, emergency workers and ordinary citizens who responded to the attacks. Many first responders later died or suffered serious illnesses linked to their work at Ground Zero and other disaster sites. Twenty-five years later, the attacks continue to influence American society, national security and foreign policy. The events led to major changes in airport security, intelligence operations and counterterrorism policies, as well as the long wars that followed in Afghanistan and Iraq. For younger Americans who were born after 2001, the anniversary provides an opportunity to learn about an event they did not personally experience. Schools, museums and memorial organizations are preserving firsthand accounts from survivors and families so that the history is not forgotten. As the United States observes the 25th anniversary, the central message remains one of remembrance, resilience and unity. Families continue to mourn their loved ones, while the nation honors those who died and recognizes the lasting sacrifices made in the aftermath of the attacks.