23 Years Later: America Remembers the Tragedy of 9/11

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Millions of Americans commemorated the unprecedented attacks of September 11, 2001, in New York and Washington. Twenty-three years after planes struck the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon near Washington, survivors and the families of nearly 3,000 victims gathered at Ground Zero in Manhattan.

During a memorial ceremony attended by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the names of the victims were read, and bells tolled at the moments the planes hit the Twin Towers. In a statement, Biden reflected: “On this day 23 years ago, terrorists believed they could break our will. They were wrong. In our darkest hours, we found light.” Harris emphasized that the attacks revealed the possibility of unity in America.

Former President Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, also attended the ceremony. The Republican contenders, one day after a major TV debate, were seen shaking hands with Harris and standing together with other dignitaries.

The attacks remain the deadliest act of terrorism in history. On September 11, 2001, jihadists hijacked four planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon. A fourth plane, possibly intended for another target, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers resisted the hijackers.