Archive · 11 Sep 2026
US Marks 25 Years Since 9/11, Remembering Its Lasting Consequences
Twenty-five years ago, terrorists hijacked four airplanes in the United States.
The planes hit the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.
Nearly 3,000 people died.
Families, police officers and communities are holding ceremonies to remember them.
People will read victims’ names, observe quiet moments and volunteer to help others.
Some people who were exposed to dust from the collapsed towers later became sick and died.
The attacks also led to wars and new security rules.
Americans still discuss how to stay safe while protecting people’s freedoms.
This anniversary is a time to remember the victims and the many changes that followed.
Americans are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the al-Qaida attacks with ceremonies, vigils, name readings and volunteer projects.
The September 11, 2001 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people after four hijacked planes crashed in New York, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.
The anniversary will honor first responders, victims and people who later died from illnesses linked to toxic dust at Ground Zero.
The attacks led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, expanded surveillance, new security rules and continuing debates over freedom and safety.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s planned attendance at the Ground Zero ceremony has drawn criticism from some Republicans and victims’ relatives.
- Who
- Americans, victims’ families, first responders, public officials and communities are marking the anniversary of the al-Qaida attacks.
- What
- The United States is commemorating 25 years since the September 11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people and had far-reaching consequences.
- When
- Friday, the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
- Where
- Remembrances are being held at the National September 11 Memorial in New York, the Pentagon, the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
- Why
- To remember those killed and affected, honor first responders, recognize later illness and reflect on the attacks’ long-term impact.
Supporters of Attendance and Broad Remembrance
Critics of Attendance and Official Recognition
Zohran Mamdani’s Ground Zero attendance
Supporters of Attendance and Broad Remembrance
Mamdani says he loves New York and the United States and wants the ceremony to focus on victims’ families, first responders and New Yorkers who helped one another.
Critics of Attendance and Official Recognition
Former Governor George Pataki, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and some 9/11 relatives criticized Mamdani’s planned attendance, citing past remarks by some of his political associates about the attacks.
Security and freedom
Supporters of Attendance and Broad Remembrance
Supporters of post-9/11 measures point to expanded surveillance, intelligence gathering, counterterrorism funding and public vigilance as responses to the attacks.
Critics of Attendance and Official Recognition
Critics continue to debate whether the resulting security measures, wars, detentions and harsh interrogations went too far or harmed civil liberties.
- Anniversary
- 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks
- Date of attacks
- September 11, 2001
- Deaths
- Nearly 3,000 people were killed
- Attack locations
- New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania
- Annual observances
- Wreath-laying, flag-flying, moments of silence, victim-name readings, vigils and volunteer projects
- New tribute
- The Ground Zero ceremony will add a silent moment for people who later died from illnesses linked to toxic dust
- Long-term effects
- The attacks contributed to wars, expanded surveillance and intelligence powers, new banking regulations and continuing security-versus-freedom debates