Americans are commemorating a significant anniversary this week for the tragic events of September 11, 2001. On that fateful day, a hijacked plane first struck the North Tower of New York’s World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. Seventeen minutes later, another plane hit the South Tower, leading to their collapse. Another hijacked plane targeted the Pentagon, and a fourth, thwarted by passengers, crashed in Pennsylvania. Communities nationwide will host ceremonies on Friday to honor this national tragedy. Here is a guide to three key 9/11 sites and events happening on the 25th anniversary.
New York’s Seventh Moment of Silence
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Manhattan traditionally observes six moments of silence during its annual ceremony, paying tribute to the thousands who died in the attacks. These silences mark pivotal moments, including when each tower was hit and collapsed, and when planes crashed into the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. For the 25th anniversary, the museum introduced a new, seventh moment of silence for those in Lower Manhattan who succumbed to illnesses linked to the attacks. This moment follows the reading of names of those killed in the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The event will be livestreamed on the museum’s website, starting at 8:40 a.m. EDT. The first silence occurs at 8:46 a.m., marking 25 years since the North Tower was hit.
The milestone serves as a reminder that many Americans were too young or hadn’t been born yet to remember the tragedy, according to museum CEO Beth Hillman. “Each year we vow to never forget,” Hillman noted, highlighting the growing importance of this vow over time. Former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, along with former New York Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, plan to attend the ceremony at Ground Zero.
Trump’s Remarks at the Pentagon
President Donald Trump is expected to speak at the 9/11 observance ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, Friday at 9 a.m. EDT. The memorial honors the 184 individuals who perished when a hijacked plane hit the Department of Defense headquarters, killing those on board and inside. The site features a stainless steel bench for each victim over a shallow pool. The ceremony includes a reading of victims’ names, with PBS News offering a live stream. Observers noted Trump’s initial interest in speaking at the New York memorial, though speeches there remain nonpartisan.
Days before the anniversary, the National Park Service designated the Pentagon’s memorial as an “Affiliated Area of the National Park System,” underscoring its significance. Construction on a $35 million visitor education center is set to begin shortly after the anniversary, with an expected opening in 2029.
Remembering United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania
In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the 9/11 ceremony starts Friday at 8:30 a.m. EDT. The Flight 93 National Memorial, managed by the National Park Service, honors 40 passengers and crew who perished thwarting hijackers that intended to strike Washington, D.C. A marble wall bearing their names traces the plane’s final descent path. The day includes a morning observance at the Memorial Plaza, reading of names, musical performances, and bell ringing. A 1 p.m. ceremony features Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and includes wreath-layings. Both events will be livestreamed on YouTube.
PBS News Coverage
PBS News commemorates the anniversary by revisiting the day’s events and their long-lasting impact. The studio, near the Pentagon, recalls the chaos of that day. Special correspondent Judy Woodruff examines the continued influence of the attacks through a visit to the New York memorial. Archived footage includes poet Lucille Clifton reading her “september song: a poem in seven days,” capturing the immediate aftermath and resilience.
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