September 11, 2026 marks 25 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, one of the darkest days in modern American history. A quarter of a century later, families, first responders, officials and communities across the United States are once again gathering to remember the people who lost their lives.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when four hijacked commercial airplanes were used in the attacks. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, another struck the Pentagon in Virginia, while a fourth crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft.
A Day That Changed America
The attacks began on the morning of September 11, 2001. American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. local time. Seventeen minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower.
The attacks shocked the world as television networks broadcast live images of the burning towers and the subsequent collapse of the World Trade Center.
A third hijacked aircraft, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew members attempted to fight back against the hijackers.
The attacks killed 2,977 people, not including the hijackers. The victims included office workers, airline passengers and crew members, firefighters, police officers and other emergency responders.
25th Anniversary Commemorations
Across the United States, September 11, 2026 is being marked with ceremonies, moments of silence, memorial services and community events.
At the National September 11 Memorial in New York City, relatives of the victims are reading the names of those who died. Moments of silence are being observed at key times corresponding to the attacks and the collapse of the Twin Towers.
The Pentagon and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania are also hosting commemorations.
In New York, this year's anniversary includes a new moment of silence honoring people who later died from illnesses linked to their exposure to toxic dust and debris following the attacks.
The Hidden Toll That Continued for Decades
The consequences of September 11 did not end when the fires were extinguished and the rubble was cleared.
Thousands of firefighters, police officers, rescue workers, volunteers and nearby residents were exposed to toxic substances at Ground Zero. Some later developed serious illnesses associated with that exposure.
The New York City Fire Department lost 343 members on September 11. More than 600 additional firefighters, including retired members involved in the rescue and recovery efforts, have since died from illnesses associated with 9/11, according to department figures cited by Reuters.
Their deaths have become another painful part of the legacy of the attacks.
A New Generation Remembers
Twenty-five years later, an entire generation has grown up without personal memories of September 11.
For younger Americans, the attacks are increasingly something learned through photographs, documentaries, history lessons and stories told by parents and grandparents.
That generational shift has made remembrance even more important for victims' families and organizations dedicated to preserving the history of 9/11.
The anniversary is not only about remembering how the attacks happened, but also about remembering the people behind the numbers—the parents, children, spouses, friends, colleagues and first responders whose lives were lost.
A Lasting Impact on the World
The September 11 attacks fundamentally changed the United States and had consequences far beyond its borders.
The attacks led to the U.S.-led "War on Terror," the invasion of Afghanistan and later the Iraq War. They also brought major changes to airport security, intelligence gathering, surveillance and U.S. national security policy. The Department of Homeland Security was established in the aftermath.
The attacks also had lasting social consequences, including increased discrimination and hostility toward Muslim Americans and immigrants from Muslim-majority countries.
Remembering 25 Years Later
As the United States marks the 25th anniversary, the focus remains on remembrance.
In New York, the Tribute in Light once again illuminates the night sky, while families gather at the memorial where the Twin Towers once stood.
For those who lost loved ones, 25 years have not erased the pain.
For those who responded to the attacks, the memories remain deeply personal.
And for generations who were not yet born in 2001, September 11 has become a defining chapter of modern history.
Twenty-five years later, the message of remembrance remains simple: the victims are not forgotten.
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