United States Marks 25 Years Since 9/11 With Nationwide Ceremonies and Tributes

VoS NEWS DESK | INTERNATIONAL | 12 September 2026

The main remembrance ceremony took place at Ground Zero in New York, where the names of the victims were read aloud by relatives and members of the wider community. Thousands of people gathered to commemorate the lives lost when hijacked passenger aircraft were used in attacks on the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

President Donald Trump attended a separate ceremony at the Pentagon, where 184 people were killed when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building. Vice President JD Vance joined former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden at the New York ceremony.

This year's anniversary included a significant new element at the New York memorial. Organisers held an additional moment of silence to remember first responders, survivors and others who were exposed to the toxic dust released after the World Trade Centre towers collapsed and subsequently died from related illnesses.

The anniversary has therefore focused not only on those who died on 11 September 2001, but also on the long-term human consequences of the attacks. Thousands of emergency workers and other people who were exposed to the disaster site have suffered serious health problems in the years since.

Security was also significantly strengthened around major memorial locations. Police and emergency personnel were deployed around Ground Zero and other sites as large crowds gathered for the anniversary events.

The CIA also released dozens of previously classified presidential daily briefing documents connected to the period before the attacks. The documents provide additional details about intelligence gathered by US officials concerning Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida before the hijackings.

Across the United States, communities organised their own memorial events, including wreath-laying ceremonies, flag displays, vigils, readings of victims' names and public service projects. The anniversary was observed not only at the three main attack sites but also in towns and cities across the country.

The 25th anniversary has also prompted renewed reflection on how dramatically the attacks changed American foreign policy and global security. The subsequent wars, expanded counter-terrorism measures and changes to airport and national security policies shaped international affairs for decades.

For a younger generation born after 2001, the anniversary represents an increasingly historical event rather than a personal memory. Schools, museums and memorial organisations have therefore played an important role in preserving first-hand accounts from survivors, families and emergency responders.

VoS STRATEGIC INSIGHT

Twenty-five years after 9/11, the anniversary continues to carry enormous significance not only for the United States but for the wider world. The attacks transformed international security policy, reshaped US foreign relations and influenced conflicts across the Middle East and beyond.

The 2026 commemorations also underline that the consequences of the attacks did not end on the day itself. For families, survivors and first responders, the legacy continues through remembrance, loss and long-term health effects. The new tribute to those who later died from 9/11-related illnesses reflects how the understanding of the tragedy continues to evolve.

Source: Associated Press • CBS News New York • The Guardian