Today marks the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. The attacks remain one of the most significant events in American history, reshaping the nation and its sense of security.
Across the country, people are pausing for moments of silence, gathering at memorials and reflecting on the courage and unity that followed the tragedy. In New York, bells toll at Ground Zero to mark the times the Twin Towers were struck and later collapsed. In Washington, ceremonies take place at the Pentagon, while families gather at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Though the attacks unfolded far from here, the impact was felt in every community. Local residents recall where they were that morning — the phone calls, the television images and the silence that followed. For many, Sept. 11 remains a day of mourning and gratitude for the first responders and ordinary people who acted with extraordinary bravery.
As the nation remembers, the anniversary also serves as a reminder of resilience. Out of tragedy came stories of firefighters climbing stairwells, strangers helping strangers and communities banding together. The promise to “never forget” endures, not only in ceremonies today but in the ways Americans continue to honor unity and compassion.
