25 Years After 9/11: A Global Call to Remember
On the morning of 11 September 2026, the United States and its allies gathered to honor the lives lost when four hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania on 11 September 2001.
The ceremony at the World Trade Center site brought together former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and all living First Ladies. Vice‑President JD Vance also appeared, and the gathering was attended by U.S. Army professionals and community volunteers. At the Pentagon, President Donald Trump addressed crowds of military and civilian officials, stressing the “war on terror” and connecting the 9/11 attacks to the current U.S. conflict in Iran.
The events were marked by moments of silence that mirrored the exact seconds of the attacks – from the first plane to the twin towers falling. The names of nearly 3,000 victims were read over the course of four hours. A seventh bell was rung, commemorating the thousands who have since died from illnesses linked to the attacks’ dust and smoke.
At night, two beams of light cut across Manhattan for the Tribute in Light, a silent, luminous sign of remembrance still lit for twenty‑five years. Buildings in New York’s state lit up in blue, echoing a global act of mourning. Other landmarks, such as the Gallowgate Subway Station and the Toronto Stock Exchange, held their own memorials.
In London, a ceremonial service was hosted at Buckingham Palace, attended by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephens. In Gander, Newfoundland, the U.S. ambassador to Canada praised the town that accommodated 38 diverted planes in the immediate aftermath. The event was followed by remarks from former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, who welcomed U.S. partners and urged that generosity should not be mistaken for weakness.
Elsewhere, a stair‑climb ceremony in Milan gathered Italian and U.S. firefighters to climb the Galfa Tower’s 33 stories while commemorating the FDNY personnel who died on 9/11. In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a ceremony honored the passengers who finally stopped the hijackers of Flight 93. The experiences of the living witnesses, like New York’s former office worker Janice Brooks, echo the day’s significance.
The day also prompted renewed scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s role in the attacks. A widow of a casualty, Terry Strada, spoke worldwide, asking why justice remains elusive for individuals linked to the terrorist organization headquartered in Saudi Arabia. She called for accountability, echoing the ongoing debate about the nation’s involvement.
Across the world, the 25th anniversary of September 11 served as a unifying reminder of collective loss, resilience and the enduring promise that the nation will never, ever forget. The anniversary also highlighted the health toll and the continued need for remembrance as part of the nation’s collective memory.
