9/11 Anniversary 2025: Honoring 24 Years of Memory, and Service

September 11, 2001, changed America forever. Twenty-four years later, the nation once again gathers to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, honor the courage of first responders and survivors, and reflect on the profound ways the attacks reshaped our country.

From Ground Zero in New York City to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, ceremonies across the U.S. remind us of the importance of memory, unity, and resilience. Today is not just about looking back—it is also about moving forward together through acts of service, education, and community.

In Lower Manhattan, families of victims, dignitaries, and community members gathered at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. As in years past, the ceremony included moments of silence and the solemn reading of victims’ names, a tradition that keeps their memory alive in the hearts of Americans.

Firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and volunteers rushed toward danger on 9/11. Today, many still battle long-term health issues, including respiratory disease, PTSD, and cancer, stemming from their service at Ground Zero. Efforts to support them, such as the World Trade Center Health Program, remain critical reminders that the legacy of 9/11 continues to affect lives.

The attacks ushered in a new era of security. From the creation of the Department of Homeland Security to airport screening under the TSA, 9/11 reshaped how Americans travel, work, and live. Ongoing debates on surveillance, immigration, and national security laws trace their origins back to this pivotal moment.

For younger Americans—many of whom were not yet born in 2001—9/11 is history, not memory. Educators continue to grapple with how to teach 9/11 history in schools respectfully, ensuring students understand its lessons of unity and resilience without sensationalism. Museums, oral histories, and digital archives help bridge the gap between generations.