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9/11 25th anniversary ceremony: Families gather at WTC, Pentagon, Shanksville

Ceremonies were held in New York City, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

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Last updated: Saturday, September 12, 2026 3:24AM GMT
September 11 anniversary marked by pain and unity
CeFaan Kim has more from Lower Manhattan.
David Dee Delgado/Pool Photo via AP

NEW YORK -- Friday marked 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, which claimed the lives of 2,977 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Another 9,000 people have died from 9/11-related illnesses over the last 25 years.

Victims' families, first responders and politicians gathered on Friday for annual remembrance ceremonies as Americans across the country pause to remember and reflect.

A flower placed at the memorial is seen in front of the Freedom Tower during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
A flower placed at the memorial is seen in front of the Freedom Tower during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001.
Spencer Platt/Pool Photo via AP

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
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Sep 11, 2026, 1:09 PM GMT

Reading of the names underway at 9/11 Memorial & Museum ceremony

The annual reading of the victims' names is now underway at the ceremony at New York City's 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

People listen to the U.S. national anthem at the memorial on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York.
People listen to the U.S. national anthem at the memorial on the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York.
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Sep 11, 2026, 1:04 PM GMT

1st moment of silence held to mark 1st crash at World Trade Center

At 8:46 a.m., the first moment of silence was held at the ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum ceremony. This marks the time American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.

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Sep 11, 2026, 12:50 PM GMT

Former presidents attend New York City ceremony

Former President Barack Obama, former President Joe Biden, former President George W. Bush and their wives are at Friday morning's New York City 9/11 ceremony.

Other politicians in attendance include New York Sen. Chuck Schumer and former New York City Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg.

Vice President JD Vance is also at the lower Manhattan ceremony. President Donald Trump is instead attending the 9/11 tribute at the Pentagon in Virginia, where he's expected to deliver remarks.

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Sep 11, 2026, 12:36 PM GMT

American flag unfurled at the Pentagon

In a downpour at daybreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top military officials stood outside and watched as the giant American flag was unfurled on the building struck by a hijacked plane a quarter century ago.

Service members unfurl a flag on the 25th anniversary over the portion of the Pentagon's west side that was struck by an airliner hijacked by terrorists, on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
Service members unfurl a flag on the 25th anniversary over the portion of the Pentagon's west side that was struck by an airliner hijacked by terrorists, on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026

President Donald Trump is set to observe Friday's 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by attending a ceremony at the Pentagon commemorating the lives lost when al-Qaida militants hijacked planes and killed nearly 3,000 people in three locations, upending American foreign policy and national security.

It's the second year in a row for Trump to mark the day at the Pentagon.

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