Never, Ever Forget – America Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

Sat Sep 12 2026 15:33:51 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

U.S. leaders and global communities gathered for solemn commemorations and renewed vows of remembrance on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

On 11 September 2026 the United States and international partners marked the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks that shook the world with vigils, moments of silence and an iconic Tribute in Light over New York. President Donald Trump led a Pentagon ceremony, while Vice‑President January Davis and all living former U.S. presidents attended memorials at the World Trade Center. The event included the reading of nearly 3,000 names, two beams of light and a renewed commitment to never forget. Global commemorations extended to London, Toronto, Gander in Canada and Milan, Italy, reflecting the worldwide impact of that day.

Never, Ever Forget – America Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

The United States and the global community gathered for a series of solemn events on 11 September 2026, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives and left an indelible imprint on worldwide consciousness.

Federal Memorials in Washington, D.C. and New York

President Donald Trump opened a ceremony at the Pentagon, where he spoke of renewed vows and linked the war on terror’s legacy to contemporary conflicts. A full 25‑minute silence marked the exact times each plane hit and the Twin Towers fell. The ceremony was attended by U.S. cabinet members, former president George W. Bush, current Vice‑President JD Vance, and the four living former presidents and first ladies. The Vice‑President, who had flown from New Jersey for the occasion, emphasized the duty to remember and to act to protect future generations.

In New York City, a similar gathering at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum listened to the names of the victims for nearly four hours before living family members sent in their voices the final notes of the ritual. Two beams of light – the Tribute in Light – traversed the Manhattan skyline, echoing the Boeing 757 and 767 that had struck the towers.

Global Tributes

The anniversary resonated worldwide. In London, a ceremony at Buckingham Palace featured messages from Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephens, and the change of guard at Lloyd’s of London incorporated an homage to the victims.

In Canada, Ottawa’s merchants gathered in Gander for a tribute honoring the town’s swift rescue of 38 aircraft passengers. U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra praised the town’s hospitality as a symbol of the North American bond, and former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien responded with a call to remember Canadian generosity.

Toronto’s Stock Exchange set aside restitution period, while a tribute service took place at the Toronto‑based World Trade Centre. In Milan, flames of solidarity ignited when Italian and U.S. firefighters clambered up and down the Galfa Tower, representing the 343 New York City Fire Department heroes lost that day.

Critical Voices and Continuing Reflections

A poignant moment came from the widow of a 9/11 victim, Terry Strada, who questioned the world’s failure to hold Saudi Arabia responsible. Her remarks, broadcast live, drew applause amid an international debate over the roles of Middle Eastern actors in the attacks. The Washington Command indicated the complexity of reckoning with the legacy of terrorism and the ambiguity of the hundreds of casualties who followed due to dust‑related illnesses.

The anniversary ceremony thus reiterated the message “We will never, ever forget,” a promise echoed by President Trump as he addressed the crowd in a speech that linked the past to current geopolitical tensions.

With the world in a state of relentless change, the remembrance of September 11 underscores the need for vigilance, global partnership, and the persistence to honor those who lost their lives and continue to bear the consequences of that fateful day.