Joe Biden marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks in New York

United States officials and citizens gathered across the nation on September 11, 2026, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives. Relatives of the fallen assembled at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan alongside leaders from across the political spectrum. The ceremonies honored victims killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum organized the central gathering at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza. Family members took turns at the podium to recite the names of victims lost in the 2001 attacks as well as those killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

Ceremony details at the World Trade Center site

Proceedings at the Lower Manhattan site commenced at 8:30 a.m. local time under clear skies. The museum established seven distinct moments of silence throughout the morning to mark the exact minutes when hijacked airliners struck the Twin Towers, when both skyscrapers collapsed, when American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon, and when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed. One designated pause also recognized the thousands of emergency workers and residents who died from toxic exposure and related illnesses in the years following the disaster. Families recited each victim name.

Commemorative tributes began prior to the morning gathering through a visual memorial over New York Harbor. An aerial formation of 2,977 drones illuminated the night sky, recreating the glowing outline of the fallen Twin Towers against the dark skyline.

• Reading of the names of the 2,977 victims killed in the 2001 attacks and six victims of the 1993 bombing.
• Seven coordinated moments of silence observing aircraft impacts, structural collapses, and related illnesses.
• Display of illuminated drones outlining the original twin skyscrapers above the harbor waters.

City authorities paired the anniversary observances with public disclosures regarding the long-term aftermath of the catastrophe. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani authorized the release of more than 170,000 official records detailing air quality testing and municipal health interventions. The newly opened archives documented that civic officials previously misled the public regarding respiratory hazards posed by pulverized debris.

Political leaders gather in Lower Manhattan and Arlington

Prominent political figures attended the Lower Manhattan ceremony to observe the anniversary together. Mayor Zohran Mamdani welcomed dignitaries to the memorial plaza as bell tolls marked the opening stages of the program.

Former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden stood alongside former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton during the reading of the names. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also attended the Manhattan service. Meanwhile, JD Vance participated in the New York commemoration among invited guests. Donald Trump traveled to Arlington, Virginia, to attend memorial activities at the Pentagon crash site.

Public health records released and responder memorials held

Members of the Fire Department of the City of New York conducted a dedicated ceremony at their memorial wall on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Firefighters read the roster of 343 department members who died while attempting rescues inside the burning towers on September 11, 2001.

Colleagues stood in formal formation as buglers played taps and officers laid wreaths along the stone perimeter. Department leaders highlighted the continued loss of life among retired firefighters who developed terminal respiratory illnesses from Ground Zero dust. Attendees observed a quiet salute before dispersing to borough firehouses.

Observances continue in Virginia and Pennsylvania

Federal authorities maintained tight security at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia. The site restricted public access between 3:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., reserving entry exclusively for families of the 184 people killed aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and inside the defense headquarters.

In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the Flight 93 National Memorial welcomed family members to the ground where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed. The morning program opened with the reading of all passenger and crew names, punctuated by the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance. Visitors listened to remarks from officials, heard musical tributes, and observed the laying of floral wreaths along the Wall of Names. Park rangers and volunteers later carried 40 illuminated lanterns to the memorial wall, placing one lantern directly beneath each inscribed name.

Community halls and municipal parks throughout the United States held independent evening vigils and moments of reflection. These localized gatherings marked the final civic events of the 25th anniversary.