'Never, Ever Forget' — America Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

Twenty-five years after hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field, the United States marked the solemn anniversary with ceremonies that drew tens of thousands of mourners, survivors and families of the nearly 3,000 people who died.

Presidential Ceremony

President Donald Trump led a memorial ceremony at the Pentagon, while Vice President JD Vance attended the memorial at Ground Zero in New York, joined by all four living former presidents. Moments of silence were observed at the precise times of each of the four plane impacts.

Names Read Out

As in previous years, the names of all 2,977 victims were read aloud at the World Trade Center ceremony — a tradition that takes hours but is considered central to the remembrance. Family members of victims participated in the reading.

We'll never, ever forget. The evil that attacked us that day will never extinguish the light of freedom that America represents to the world.

Two beams of light illuminated the Manhattan skyline for the annual Tribute in Light — twin beams representing the fallen towers that are visible for miles across the city and New York Harbor.

25 Years On

The 25th anniversary marks a generational milestone; the youngest people with clear memories of the day are now in their late 30s. Organizers of commemorations have focused on ensuring younger generations understand the attacks' significance, with Gen Z attendees sharing their experiences of learning about 9/11 for the first time as children.