By 9/11 Memorial Staff

While the tragic events of 9/11 are now nearly 20 years in the past, the lessons of that day and those that followed must be taught for generations to come. There is an entire segment of the population, those college-aged and younger, with no lived memory of 9/11. We want all Americans – especially the younger generations – to understand the day itself, but more importantly understand the unity, hope, and resilience experienced afterward in New York City, across our nation, and around the world. That is how we can honor our promise to Never Forget. 

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is grateful for the generous support of 20th Anniversary Partners: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Brookfield, Cantor Fitzgerald and the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, as well as Carnegie Corporation of New York, CVS Health Foundation, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fiserv, History, New York Life, and the Structural Engineers Association of New York.

We thank you for your continued support of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and our mission to commemorate, educate, and inspire audiences across the nation and around the world.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Ahead of the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum Visionary Network has launched a memorial beautification initiative to clean and restore community 9/11 memorials. 

In the aftermath of 9/11, memorials were created across the country to commemorate the events that took place that day and honor local residents who lost their lives. These memorials – many made with steel recovered from the WTC complex – grew into homegrown centerpieces that underscore the power of loss, sacrifice, and community, and serve as sites for annual tributes. Through the years though, the level of care and time initially put into some memorials have wavered, leaving them in less than pristine condition. 

We are now calling on Visionaries to connect with their communities about 9/11 via these memorials. Locate a 9/11 memorial in your area and help preserve it by volunteering to plant flowers, clean the grounds, or simply stopping by to reflect and remember those we lost. The Memorials Registry tracks many 9/11 memorials throughout the world and can help you find one near you. Learn more. 

Many Visionaries are already at work in their communities. In coordination with Staten Island Borough President James Oddo and Friends of Postcards, Visionaries volunteered at Staten Island's Postcards Memorial, planting a 9/11 Memorial Survivor Tree seedling. Watch a highlight video.  

If you have any questions about the Visionary Network or would like to host a volunteer day at a 9/11 memorial in your community, please email visionary@911memorial.org. 

The Visionary Network was founded in early 2020. The primary mission of this network is to bring people between the ages of 21 and 45 together through acts of advocacy, commemoration, and engagement to strengthen their connection to the 9/11 Memorial, ensuring the memory of 9/11, the individuals lost, and those still feeling the consequences stay in our thoughts. The Visionary Network is an essential aspect of making sure the memory of 9/11 is not forgotten in future generations. If you are interested in joining, you can sign up for free here.

By Nathanial Crystal, Government and Community Affairs Intern, 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Six months from today, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will lead the nation in commemorating the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks that took the lives of 2,977 men, women, and children in New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Twenty years after the attacks changed our world forever, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum stands as a sacred symbol of fortitude and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

“In a few months’ time, 20 years will have passed since our nation was attacked on September 11,” 9/11 Memorial Board Chairman Michael R. Bloomberg said. “We suffered a great tragedy that day and for the weeks and months that followed. We mourned the victims of the attacks and promised to never forget. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is helping to keep that promise by preserving their memories and the difficult but important history of the terror attacks."

Through live and virtual programming throughout the year, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum focuses on the foundations of honoring, educating, and inspiring as we uphold our daily mission to remember.

“In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing challenges facing our nation and the global community, the resilience, compassion, and hope demonstrated two decades ago in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks offer invaluable lessons now,” said 9/11 Memorial & Museum President & CEO Alice M. Greenwald. “During this 20th anniversary year, it is our privilege to share these lessons with a new generation, teach them about the ongoing repercussions of the 9/11 attacks, and inspire them with the idea that, even in the darkest of times, we can come together, support one another, and find the strength to renew and rebuild.”

The annual ceremony for family members will include the live in-person reading of the names by family members of the 2,983 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the February 26, 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center.

Tribute in Light will once again light the New York City skyline, unifying the city in a beloved annual tradition. In addition to the Tribute in Light, Tribute in Lights, a citywide initiative in partnership with NYC & Company, will bring together cultural institutions, corporate buildings, and various landmarks across New York City who will participate by lighting up their facades and spires in Memorial blue.

And once again, the Anniversary in the Schools webinar will use first-hand storytelling from 9/11 family members, survivors, and rescue and recovery workers to bring the story of 9/11 to the classroom, ensuring that future generations will never forget. Since 2016, the Anniversary in the Schools pre-recorded webinar has reached more than a million participants in all 50 states and in 40 countries.

“Each anniversary of September 11 brings a new chance to reflect, mourn, and reconnect with the lessons we learned when our city was at its lowest,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The 9/11 Memorial & Museum tells a powerful story of resilience, recovery, and rebirth. I look forward to joining New Yorkers in upholding our promise to never forget and standing with them to write a new chapter in this city’s future.”

By 9/11 Memorial Museum Staff

We gathered on the 9/11 Memorial plaza earlier this month to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Family members, survivors, and first responders embraced one another and left tributes in honor of their loved ones on the Memorial plaza. The following day, we reopened the 9/11 Memorial Museum after a six-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the month of September, various news outlets published informative, engaging articles about the work of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the unique challenges of commemorating 9/11 during a global health crisis.

9/11 Commemoration:

'Nothing scares me': For 9/11 responder, COVID was the hardest battle yet (ABC News)

How This Year's 9/11 Ceremony Marking 19 Years Since Attacks Will Look Different (NBC 4 New York)

In a year of social distancing, virus alters Sept. 11, too (Associated Press)

U.S. marks 9/11 anniversary at tributes shadowed by virus (Associated Press)

New York City Marks 9/11 at a Time of Harrowing Loss (New York Times)

Nation Marks 19th Anniversary of 9/11 with Intimate Events (Wall Street Journal)

Family members, politicians gather at dual 9/11 memorial services for 19th anniversary of World Trade Center terrorist attack (Daily News)

Trump, Biden take break from campaign to commemorate 9/11 anniversary (Reuters)

9/11 remembrance ceremonies go on amid pandemic and social distancing requirements (NBCNews.com)

Like 9/11, COVID-19 has stripped away Americans' sense of security as they wonder how safe they really are (USA Today)

Tribute in Light:

9/11 'Tribute in Light' tested ahead of anniversary (ABC 7 New York)

9/11 Tribute in Light shines bright over New York City (ABC 7 New York)

‘Tribute in Light’ 9/11 memorial shines bright on final night (New York Post)

Museum Reopening:

9/11 Museum Reopens To General Public Six Months After Coronavirus Forced Shutdown (CBS 2 New York)

9/11 Memorial Museum reopens to public after 6-month shutdown (USA Today)

Educational Offerings:

Megan Jones: Remembering 9/11 (WKYC 3)

Nightly News: Kids Edition (NBCNews.com)

Memorialization:

El Paso Walmart Shooting: One Year Later, Museum Collects Items Left Behind (Wall Street Journal)

Six 9/11 victims had birthdays that day. For all, a single white rose. (Washington Post)

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Family members, survivors, first responders, and elected officials gathered on the 9/11 Memorial Friday to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Family members embraced one another and left tributes in honor of their loved ones on the Memorial plaza, which reopened to the public at 3 p.m. Out of an abundance of caution and in line with state and federal guidance regarding social distancing, recorded readings of the names made by 9/11 family members were broadcast during the ceremony.

Alongside family members, survivors, and first responders, Vice President Mike Pence, former Vice President Joe Biden, Governors Andrew M. Cuomo and Phil Murphy, New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, and former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the chairman of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, gathered on the plaza for the reading of the names and observed six moments of silence marking when each of the Twin Towers were struck, when they fell, when the Pentagon was attacked, and when Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 

As in years past, the Memorial plaza will be open until midnight for the annual viewing of Tribute in Light, which will illuminate the sky just south of the World Trade Center.

The 9/11 Memorial Museum, which has been closed for six months due to the COVID-19 health crisis, reopened exclusively for 9/11 family members on the 19th Anniversary. It will be open to the public again beginning Saturday, September 12. Learn more about the Museum's updated hours of operation, enhanced safety protocols, and modified Museum experience.

Please share your remembrances with the hashtag #Honor911. Watch a recording of the commemoration ceremony on our Facebook page.

Learn about how to talk to children about 9/11 and terrorism, or view our annual Anniversary in the Schools webinar, which introduces the events of the day through first-person accounts.

Donate today to sustain the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Your generosity now makes our mission possible, as we reopen our doors with a renewed sense of purpose.

Tune in to ABC television at 8 p.m. ET to view “9/11 Remembered: The Day We Came Together,” a special filmed during the 2014 dedication and opening of the 9/11 Memorial Museum. The program will feature former President Barack Obama, who opened the Museum, and former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, as well as survivors, family members, and first responders. The hour-long special will also feature performances from a 300-voice childrens’ choir, the New York Philharmonic, and explore the stories behind artifacts from the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

On Friday, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will lead the nation and the world in observing the 19th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11. On this solemn day of remembrance, the Memorial and Museum will be open exclusively for family members for a private ceremony. The commemoration ceremony will be streamed online at 911memorial.org/live. 

On September 11, the 9/11 Memorial will reopen to the public from 3 p.m. until midnight to allow visitors to pay their respects and participate in a special viewing of Tribute in Light. The 9/11 Memorial Museum will remain closed to the public on the anniversary but will reopen on Saturday, September 12, after being closed for nearly six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Advance timed tickets are now available online. 

There are many ways to join us in commemorating the 19th anniversary from near and far.

Watch the 9/11 Commemoration Livestream

The heart of the mission of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum remains the annual commemoration ceremony. Join us beginning at 8:40 a.m. on September 11 to watch the commemorative ceremony live stream. 

Anniversary in the Schools Webinar

Offered every year on the 9/11 anniversary, this interactive program connects participants with Museum staff and guest speakers to learn about the attacks and the importance of commemoration. 

Commemorate in Your Community

Understanding the events of the day is essential to commemoration. Visit our dedicated 9/11 commemoration page to learn World Trade Center history and how to talk to children about 9/11, and find resources for planning a commemoration ceremony in your community.

Tribute in Lights

In addition to presenting the annual Tribute in Light, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is partnering with NYC & Company and buildings throughout the city to light up their facades and spires in light blue in commemoration of the 19th anniversary of 9/11. Look for the blue lights on some of New York City's most iconic buildings this year, including One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, Vessel at Hudson Yards, and various billboards in Times Square.

Interactive Timelines

Interactive timelines chronicle the events of September 11, 2001, the nine-month recovery effort at Ground Zero, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The timelines use images, audio, and video, as well as first-person accounts from the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s permanent collection.

Make a Donation Today

When you make a gift to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, you allow us to share the stories of hope and resilience, sacrifice and service, good will and community that inspired us all in the aftermath of 9/11 and do so again today. Your generosity now makes our mission possible, as we work to reopen our doors with a renewed sense of purpose.

Find a Name on the Memorial

The nearly 3,000 names of the men, women, and children killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993 are inscribed on bronze parapets surrounding the twin memorial pools. See a full list of the names on the Memorial.

If you’re planning your visit, learn more about the 9/11 Memorial & Museum's updated hours of operation, enhanced safety protocols, and modified Museum experience.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

At a time when we are all looking for meaningful ways to connect and educate online, we invite you to join students and teachers from around the world to commemorate the 19th anniversary of 9/11 by registering for the free Anniversary in the Schools webinar on Friday, September 11, 2020.

This webinar, which reaches hundreds of thousands of students and teachers each year, furthers our mission to honor the 2,983 victims of the September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993 attacks. We provide this annual webinar to reach students in all 50 states and internationally.

Perfect for in-classroom or remote learning, the 35-minute program includes:

• On-demand access to accommodate all time zones and school schedules 
• Easy access for remote learners, who will be able to view the program on the anniversary by visiting 911memorial.org/webinar
• Personal stories from six diverse speakers—9/11 family member Julie Sweeney Roth, recovery worker Sonia Agron, retired FBI Agent Wesley Wong, North Tower survivor Michael Hingson, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jon Leiken, and his daughter, Caleigh, who was born in New York City on 9/11
• A live chat where students can directly ask Museum staff questions throughout the day
• Viewing guides differentiated by grade level with discussion questions and extension activities
• Expanded accessibility options, including closed captioning, American Sign Language interpretation, verbal description, and Spanish subtitles

The webinar facilitates meaningful conversations about unity, hope, and the spirit of 9/11 and provides a resource to teachers as they introduce 9/11 to the first generation with no lived memory of the day. Participants will learn in a comprehensive, fact-driven way about the events of the day as well as the ongoing impact of 9/11 in the world around them.

Register today and participate in an exclusive, educator-only preview of the full program beginning September 3, 2020, at 8 a.m. EDT at 911memorial.org/webinar. 

By 9/11 Memorial Staff