The United States on Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, with Americans gathering across the country to remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives and honor the survivors, first responders and families who continue to carry the tragedy's legacy.
Memorial ceremonies were held in New York City, at the Pentagon in Virginia and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where three of the four hijacked aircraft crashed during the attacks.
A Somber Morning at Ground Zero
At Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan, victims' relatives gathered alongside Vice President JD Vance and four former U.S. presidents for the annual remembrance ceremony.
The ceremony began at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Time with a moment of silence marking the moment American Airlines Flight 11 struck the World Trade Center's North Tower.
Family members then read aloud the names of the victims. The ceremony also included additional moments of silence marking the other crashes and the collapse of the Twin Towers.
For the first time, a separate moment of remembrance was also dedicated to people who died in the years following the attacks from illnesses linked to exposure to toxic dust at the disaster sites.
Nearly 3,000 Lives Lost
On September 11, 2001, al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes.
Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. A third struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers attempted to take control of the aircraft.
A total of 2,977 people were killed in the attacks.
The victims included office workers, airline passengers, firefighters, police officers, emergency responders and people from many different backgrounds.
Pentagon Ceremony Honors 184 Victims
President Donald Trump attended a memorial ceremony at the Pentagon, where 184 people were killed when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building.
Trump and other officials listened as the names of the victims were read aloud. A large American flag was also unfurled at the Pentagon during the day's commemorations.
The ceremony focused on remembering those who died and recognizing the courage of first responders and members of the armed forces.
Shanksville Remembers Flight 93
A separate ceremony was held in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at the site where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed.
Passengers on Flight 93 fought back against the hijackers after learning that other planes had already been used in attacks. The aircraft ultimately crashed into a field before reaching its suspected target in Washington.
The passengers and crew are remembered as heroes for their actions that morning.
A Legacy That Still Affects America
The impact of September 11 extended far beyond the attacks themselves.
The tragedy transformed U.S. national security policy, airport security and America's approach to terrorism. It also led to years of military conflict overseas and major changes in domestic security.
The creation of the Department of Homeland Security and expanded security measures were among the major changes that followed the attacks.
Twenty-five years later, a generation of Americans has grown up without personally remembering the events of September 11, 2001.
For many families, however, the day remains a deeply personal loss.
Remembering the First Responders
Thousands of firefighters, police officers, medical workers and volunteers responded to the attacks and spent weeks and months working at the disaster sites.
Many responders were later diagnosed with illnesses connected to exposure to the toxic environment at Ground Zero and other locations.
The New York City Fire Department lost 343 members on September 11. More than 600 additional firefighters have died from illnesses linked to the attacks since then, according to department figures reported by Reuters.
Twenty-Five Years Later
The 25th anniversary has become a moment of national reflection.
Across the United States, communities are holding memorial services, vigils, volunteer projects and moments of silence to remember the victims and recognize the courage shown by ordinary Americans during one of the darkest days in the nation's history.
For families who lost loved ones, the anniversary is not simply a historical milestone. It is a reminder of parents, children, spouses, friends and colleagues whose lives ended on September 11, 2001.
As America marks 25 years since the attacks, the central message of the commemorations remains clear: the victims will not be forgotten, and their stories will continue to be remembered by future generations.
America remembers. America honors. America will never forget.