This year marks the 25th anniversary of the devastating terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, a day that claimed nearly 3,000 American lives and left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. The attacks involved 19 hijackers who seized control of four commercial airliners with the intent to target key landmarks across the United States.
Two of these planes were deliberately flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, ultimately causing both iconic skyscrapers to collapse. A third plane struck the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, while the fourth, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 courageously fought back against the hijackers, preventing the aircraft from reaching its intended target, though it still ended in tragedy.
On Friday, the nation will observe solemn ceremonies to remember the victims, honor the survivors, and pay tribute to the first responders who bravely entered the danger zone in the aftermath of the attacks. Memorial events are scheduled at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, the Pentagon, and Ground Zero in Manhattan.
Trump to miss Ground Zero ceremony amid presidential attendance
While all living former U.S. presidents are expected to attend the commemoration at Ground Zero in New York City, President Donald Trump will notably be absent from this event. Instead, Vice President JD Vance will represent the current administration at the New York ceremony. President Trump is set to participate in the Pentagon memorial service on the same day.
Insiders familiar with the planning of the Ground Zero observance revealed to The New York Times that Trump’s team conducted preliminary site visits and initially communicated with officials in New York and Washington, D.C., but ultimately adjusted their plans to divide attendance between the two main memorials.