Rememberance: National September 11 Memorial

There is one date that has been seared into the collective consciousness of America this century. As Americans, we are ingrained with the spirit of unyielding perseverance, especially in the face of adversity. In that spirit, this date now not only symbolizes tragedy but resolve, strength, courage, and honor. On September 11, 2001, coordinated attacks were made on the United States of America by al-Qaeda, an Islamist extremist terrorist network. Nineteen terrorists hijacked four airliners and crashed them into the North and South towers of New York City’s World Trade Center, with a third airplane crashing into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Passengers of the fourth hijacked plane, now known as Flight 93, learned of the other attacks and fought back, crashing the plane into an open field in western Pennsylvania. It is believed that plane was destined for the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The September 11 attacks killed 2,977 people from 93 nations. The World Trade Center had also been attacked eight years prior by terrorists in a bombing that killed six people and injured more than 1,000 more.

The National September 11 Memorial’s mission is to remember and honor the nearly 3,000 people that were lost in the terrorist attacks of February 26, 1993, and September 11, 2001. The Memorial, also known as the 9/11 Memorial, stands on the site where the former World Trade Center’s Twin Towers once stood in New York City’s financial district.

Surrounded by more than 400 trees, the Memorial features two waterfalls and reflecting pools. Both massive reflecting pools are an acre in size each and sit within the footprints of the original Twin Towers. The eco-friendly design is meant to convey a spirit of hope and renewal. The two Memorial reflecting pools are surrounded by bronze parapets that have the names of the victims of the 9/11 attacks in New York, the Pentagon, Flight 93, and 1993 attacks stencil-cut into them.

Soon, a 9/11 Memorial Museum will open deep beneath the Memorial. The main exhibition hall will be located seven stories underground at the foundations of the former World Trade Center. The Memorial Museum will feature survivor’s stories, as well as responder’s accounts, from that day, in addition to displaying artifacts from the World Trade Center and 9/11 attacks.

The combined September 11 attacks led to the largest ever loss of life from a foreign attack on American soil. In addition, the grounds of the former World Trade Center is the site of the greatest loss of rescue professionals in American history. On the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, take a moment and remember those who lost their lives that day and those who have since lost their lives as a result of those horrific attacks.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center
One Liberty Plaza, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10006
URL: www.911memorial.org
For information about visiting, e-mail reservations@911memorial.org, or
call 212.266.5211; TTY: 212.266.5212.