25th Anniversary Commemoration
On 11 September 2026, U.S. leaders, including President Donald Trump, Vice‑President JD Vance, and former presidents George W Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton, gathered at the World Trade Center site, the Pentagon and the Flight 93 national memorial to honor the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks.
Moments of silence marked the exact times the planes struck the Twin Towers, while the names of all those who perished were read for almost four hours. The ceremony featured a Tribute in Light, with two beams illuminating the Manhattan skyline to pay tribute to the fallen.
Trump’s speech at the Pentagon linked the war on terror that followed 9/11 to current tensions with Iran, reaffirming the pledge that “we will never, ever forget.” The event also drew international attention, with foreign guests in London, Toronto and Montreal attending memorials and praising the American response.
In Gander, Newfoundland, U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra thanked the town for welcoming thousands of diverted passengers during the attacks, a gesture that underscored the enduring ties between Canada and the United States.
Across the globe, commemorations ranged from a ceremonial bench at Buckingham Palace to a stair‑climb by firefighters in Milan, echoing the worldwide impact of 9/11 and the shared call for remembrance.
As the last names were read, former 9/11 families decrying the lack of justice for Saudi involvement in the attacks voiced their grievances, a reminder that the wounds of that day live on.
More than 25 years later, the memorials and the solemn moments of remembrance continue to shape the nation's narrative, keeping the memories alive in both the United States and around the world.
