25 Years Later, Nation Pauses to Remember 9/11

Twenty-five years have passed since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The attacks killed 2,977 people in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Communities nationwide are marking this milestone anniversary with solemn ceremonies. These events honor the victims, the first responders who died attempting rescues, and survivors who still remember that catastrophic morning.

At the National September 11 Memorial in New York, officials will read aloud the names of 2,983 people who perished. That number includes victims of the 2001 attacks. It also includes six people killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The reading begins at 8:30 a.m. and features several moments of silence. Each pause commemorates a pivotal moment from that morning. One marks when a hijacked plane struck a building. Another marks when a tower collapsed.

This year, organizers introduced a seventh moment of silence. It honors thousands of rescue and recovery workers who later died from illnesses connected to their work at Ground Zero. Many first responders developed cancers and chronic respiratory conditions after inhaling toxic dust and debris for months during the cleanup. Health advocates say this addition reflects a deeper understanding of the attacks' lasting consequences.

Congress designated September 11 as Patriot Day in December 2001. The observance calls on Americans to fly flags at half-staff and pause for a moment of silence. Twenty-five years later, the anniversary remains an occasion for the country to reflect on loss, resilience, and unity. It also serves as a reminder that the effects of that single day continue to shape communities across the nation.