U.S. President Donald Trump will honor the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by attending a ceremony at the Pentagon, while all four living former presidents will be present at a Ground Zero ceremony in New York City. This marks the second consecutive year that Trump will be commemorating the day at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., near Washington, D.C. On Sept. 11, 2001, 184 individuals lost their lives at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked by Islamist militants.
The attacks, attributed to al-Qaeda, resulted in the hijacking of four planes. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center, causing the collapse of the twin towers, while another crashed in Shanksville, Pa. The hijackers of the Pennsylvania-bound plane aimed for Washington but were thwarted by passengers and crew members who took control of the cockpit.
The total death toll from the attacks was nearly 3,000, including 24 Canadian citizens. In New York, dignitaries, survivors, and families are gathering to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The solemn occasion at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan will be attended by Vice-President JD Vance and former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.
The New York ceremony is known for its absence of political speeches, with relatives reading the names of all the victims, interspersed with moments of silence marking key events during the attacks. This year’s remembrance will include a silent tribute to individuals who have since passed away from illnesses linked to exposure to toxic dust following the collapse of the World Trade Center.
In Canada, a significant gathering is expected at an arena in central Newfoundland to pay tribute to the events of Sept. 11. Trump administration officials will participate in a ceremony in Shanksville, and various other commemorations will take place across the United States. At a recent event, Trump emphasized the importance of remembering the victims, highlighting the lasting impact of the attacks on history.
The aftermath of 9/11 led to significant changes in air travel, security measures, and government structures, including the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S.-led global war on terrorism, which included military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, was a direct response to the attacks. While Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, was killed in 2011, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of 9/11, remains in detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, awaiting trial.
Canada, under prime minister Jean Chrétien’s leadership, supported the U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, with 159 Canadian service members and seven civilians losing their lives during the deployment.