NEW YORK — Today marks 23 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 that forever changed New York City and the nation.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when Al Qaida hijackers crashed four jets into the twin towers, the Pentagon and a field in southwestern Pennsylvania.
On this day every morning for the past 23 years, families who lost loved ones in the worst terror attack on American soil make a solemn trek to observe six moments of silence, hear the reading of names, and keep the holy promise never to forget.
As the years pass, more and more names are read by children and young adults born after the attacks – as the older generation. through grave responsibility to remember this day for new generations.
Watch the solemn commemoration at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum streaming live on CBS News New York starting at 8:25 am
9/11 was a moment of silence
Wednesday’s ceremony honored the 2,983 victims who died in the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, Flight 93 and the 1993 WTC bombing.
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum opens to family members at 8:00 a.m. before the memorial begins at 8:46 a.m.
A citywide moment of silence will be held 8:46 a.m to mark the moment hijacked Flight 11 struck the North Tower. A second moment of silence will be held 9:03 in the morning to signal when hijacked Flight 175 struck the South Tower.
Another moment of silence followed 9:37 a.malerted when hijacked Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.
A moment of silence will be held 9:59 in the morning to mark when the South Tower fell, then in 10:03 a.m to mark when hijacked Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and then on 10:28 a.m to mark when the North Tower fell.
The ceremony usually ends around 12:30 p.m
US leaders are expected to attend
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are expected to attend the ceremony in Lower Manhattan. Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance was also in town to mark 9/11.
Mr. Biden and Mr. Harris both issued statements, repeating the call to “don’t forget.”
“Let’s not forget each of the 2,977 lives that were stolen from us when terrorists attacked our country,” Mr. Biden wrote. “Don’t forget the families who are still suffering from that hot September morning. Don’t forget the heroic citizens and survivors who rushed to help our fellow Americans. we endure.”
“Today is a day of remembrance as we mourn the souls lost in the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. We stand in solidarity with their families and loved ones. Americans helping our fellow Americans, we will never forget,” said Harris in that statement.
The White House said the president and vice president would also seen at the 9/11 site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
Road closures for 9/11 ceremonies
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is located at the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.
Drivers should plan for road closures around the following areas:
- The area bounded by Barclay Street on the north; South Rector Street; Broadway on the east; West Road in the West (All Inclusive)
- Liberty Street between West Street and South End Avenue
- Albany Street between West Street and South End Avenue
- West Thames Street between West Street and South End Avenue
- South End Avenue between Liberty Street and West Thames Street
- Battery Place between West Thames Street and 3rd Place
- 3rd Place between Battery Place and Little West Street
- Little West Street between 3rd Place and Battery Place
This comes at the same time as the UN General Assembly, ie also causing road closures and delays on the east side of Manhattan.
Christina Fan
