The United States pauses today to remember the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, the day that marked a fracture in American and international history. In New York, at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, ceremonies bring together victims’ families, survivors, first responders and authorities to commemorate the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks. At Ground Zero the ceremony includes the reading of the names of the victims by the relatives and seven moments of silence, corresponding to the impact of the planes, the collapse of the Twin Towers, the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of United Flight 93, as well as in memory of those who died in the following years from illnesses linked to exposure to the toxic substances released by the rubble. This evening, in the sky of Manhattan, the “Tribute in Light” will return, the two beams of light that have reminded us of the presence of the Twin Towers for years. However, the commemorations have already begun in recent days.
On September 8, Donald Trump attended a ceremony organized by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at the White House, where he paid tribute to the victims and rescuers and reiterated his commitment to “not forget” the attack. The president also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, the “Man in the Red Bandana”, remembered for having helped numerous people save themselves from the South Tower. Today the head of the White House is taking part in the commemoration at the Pentagon, while Vice President JD Vance is present in New York representing the administration. Twenty-five years ago, at 8:46 a.m. local time, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. At 9.03 a second plane, United Airlines Flight 175, hit the South Tower. At 9.37 American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon and at 10.03 United Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville after passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft. The Twin Towers collapsed within a few hours. The attacks, organized by al-Qaeda, caused 2,977 victims and opened a new phase in world history.