23 Years After 9/11: America Remembers the Heroes, Victims

Today, September 11, 2024, marks the 23rd anniversary of the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 individuals in America.

Every year, this day serves as a moment of national reflection in the United States, where the pain of loss and the strength of resilience are remembered.

If you can’t make it, you can watch the live stream of the event here.

What do you need to know?

The 9/11 attacks, orchestrated by the terrorist group al-Qaeda, remain one of the darkest days in American history. On the morning of September 11, 2001, four commercial aeroplanes were hijacked and used as weapons of destruction.

American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was flown into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, while the fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was brought down in a Pennsylvania field by courageous passengers who overtook the hijackers.

The United States continues to honour the memories of those who passed, with ceremonies held across the nation each year. The largest event takes place at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, where the Twin Towers once stood.

The site, also known as Ground Zero, hosts an annual reading of the names of the 2,977 victims who lost their lives on that day. Family members, first responders, and government officials gather to pay their respects in a ceremony that begins at 8:46 a.m., the exact time the first plane struck the North Tower.

President Joe Biden is expected to deliver remarks at a commemorative event, echoing the nation’s collective memory of that fateful day. Moments of silence are held nationwide to mark key moments during the attack, including the times when each tower collapsed. The Tribute in Light, a powerful visual representation, will illuminate the New York City skyline once again, symbolizing resilience and hope. The two beams of light, representing the Twin Towers, serve as a reminder of the lives lost.

In Washington, D.C., a ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial honors the 184 lives lost in the Pentagon attack, while the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, remembers the bravery of the passengers who thwarted the fourth attack. These memorials, built over the years, are testaments to the nation’s promise never to forget the lives lost and the heroism displayed.

A Changed America

9/11’s impact is felt in the memories of those directly affected and the country’s subsequent changes to security and policy. The attacks reshaped America’s approach to counterterrorism, leading to the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the implementation of stringent security measures at airports and public spaces. The global “War on Terror,” initiated in response to 9/11, led to military engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq, with long-lasting consequences for U.S. foreign policy and military strategy.

For many, 9/11 was a personal tragedy; for others, it was a day that altered the course of history. As survivors and families of victims continue to share their stories, the day also serves as an opportunity for future generations to learn about the event’s significance.

In a time of evolving global threats, the remembrance of 9/11 serves as a reminder that vigilance, unity, and empathy remain crucial to ensuring a safer and more just world. As America commemorates the lives lost, the legacy of resilience and hope endures.

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