USA Commemorate 25 Years Since the September 11, 2001 Attacks

Among the speakers in New York was US President Donald Trump. In addition, other senior representatives of the US government and relatives of victims took part in the ceremonies. Trump paid tribute to the resilience of American society after the attacks and reaffirmed the promise to keep the memory of the victims alive.

Ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington

In Washington, a memorial event was held simultaneously at the Pentagon, attended by senior representatives of the Department of Defense and the military. There too, the names of the 184 people who died in the attack on the Department of Defense were read aloud. A minute of silence marked the moment when the plane crashed into the Pentagon.

Memorial Site in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, relatives and survivors met at the field near Shanksville, where a passenger plane steered by hijackers crashed after passengers on board had attempted to regain control of the aircraft. All 44 people on board lost their lives. Speeches were delivered and wreaths laid at the memorial site.

September 11, 2001 had a lasting impact on US foreign policy. The attacks led, among other things, to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as to a comprehensive reorganization of the domestic security agencies in the USA. Even 25 years after the attacks, their consequences continue to shape international debates.

International Condolences and Security Situation

The memorial ceremonies took place under the impression of a heightened security environment. At public places in New York, Washington, and other cities, visible police presence was increased. Authorities had not provided any concrete indications of new attack plots in advance, but pointed to the ongoing threat from extremist groups.

International allies also commemorated the victims. In Europe, including in Austria, governments and institutions remembered the victims and expressed their sympathy to the families. In Vienna and other capitals, flags were flown at half-mast.

The anniversary fell during a phase of domestic political debate in the USA over the handling of remembrance culture and the question of how future generations should be educated about the attacks. Schools and museums across the country held special programs to mark the occasion.

At the conclusion of the memorial events, light installations were once again activated in New York, which are intended to commemorate the towers of the World Trade Center each year. The ceremonies ended with the traditional ringing of bells and a shared moment of silence.

Relatives and survivors used the day to remember individual fates in personal contributions and interviews. Many also called for greater awareness of the long-term health consequences for those who were deployed in the rubble of the World Trade Center after the attacks.