The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on Friday with remembrance ceremonies in New York City, at the Pentagon and at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and aboard United Airlines Flight 93, making September 11 one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in U.S. history.
Six Moments of Silence at Ground Zero
At the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, families of victims are gathering for the annual commemoration ceremony, where the names of those killed are read aloud.
Six moments of silence mark the key events of the attacks:
8:46 a.m. — American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower.
9:03 a.m. — United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower.
9:37 a.m. — American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon.
9:59 a.m. — The South Tower collapsed.
10:03 a.m. — United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
10:28 a.m. — The North Tower collapsed.
Flight 93 Memorial Holds 25th Anniversary Observance
At the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, the National Park Service scheduled a morning observance from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. near the Wall of Names.
The program includes readings, wreath layings, musical performances and the reading of the names of the 40 passengers and crew members of Flight 93, followed by the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance.
A second ceremony is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by a public wreath laying. (National Park Service)
Tribute in Light Returns Over Manhattan
New York’s annual Tribute in Light will again illuminate the night sky with twin beams representing the World Trade Center towers.
Commemorations are also taking place across the United States as communities honor victims, first responders and the generations affected by the attacks.
The 25th anniversary is expected to draw heightened public attention throughout September 11 as Americans search for memorial ceremonies, historical footage, victim stories and coverage from Ground Zero.
