The September 11 Terrorist Attacks: A Day of Remembrance and Resilience

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the world changed forever. Nineteen terrorists associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial aeroplanes, turning them into weapons in a coordinated assault on the United States.

Two planes struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City, a third hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and a fourth crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after heroic passengers fought back. The tragedy claimed 2,977 innocent lives, making it the deadliest act of terrorism in global history.

Why is 9/11 Commemorated?

Each year on September 11, the United States and the international community pause to mark the anniversary of the tragedy. This day is held:

• To Honour the Lives Lost: To remember the 2,977 men, women, and children of diverse nationalities who died in the attacks, as well as the six victims of the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing.

• To Salute First Responder Heroism: More than 400 police officers, firefighters, and paramedics lost their lives on 9/11 while rushing into burning, collapsing buildings to save others. The day honours their selflessness and courage.

• To Promote Unity and Service: In the U.S., the day is officially designated as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. Rather than focusing solely on grief, it encourages citizens to unite in voluntary community service, turning a dark anniversary into a day of positive action.

The First Official Commemorations and Memorials

The institutionalisation of 9/11 remembrance took place in two distinct milestones:

• The First Official Patriot Day (September 11, 2002): Following a joint resolution passed by the U.S. Congress in December 2001, President George W. Bush proclaimed the very first official Patriot Day on September 11, 2002. This established the annual traditions of lowering flags to half-staff and observing a nationwide moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT—the exact time the first plane struck the North Tower.

• The National September 11 Memorial (September 11, 2011):

  • The Design: Titled “Reflecting Absence” and designed by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, the memorial features two massive, recessed reflecting pools set directly into the footprints of the fallen Twin Towers. They feature the largest man-made waterfalls in North America, surrounded by bronze parapets inscribed with the names of every victim.

  • The Dedication: The official National 9/11 Memorial was dedicated in a ceremony for victims’ families on September 11, 2011, marking the landmark 10th anniversary of the attacks. It opened to the public the following day, while the accompanying underground Memorial Museum was later dedicated in May 2014.