It’s almost impossible to believe that it’s been two decades since the devastation of the twin tower terror act, taking thousands of innocent lives and breaking families forever. Truthfully it’s hard to believe it ever happened at all.
Here we take a look at some of the ways people in New York marked this day.
Every year there is a National September 11 Memorial event in Lower Manhattan. This year was no different and was attended by President Joe Biden and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. All 2,977 victims’ names were read aloud and the tribute featured musical performances from Kelli O’Hara, Bruce Springstein and others, in the midst of silence reflection.
Biden also went to speak with first responders and their families at the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department. In Westchester – at the Kenisco Dam Plaza – a new memorial was unveiled to the public in a ceremony held at 3:30pm on that day. It was to honor those who passed away as a result of illnesses related to 9/11.
In the evening, the Tribute in Light at Battery Park (which were installed six months after the attacks at the end of a tribute spanning an entire month) shone across the entire area, focusing on where the twin towers once stood. There was a commemoration ceremony organized by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum as well as its online exhibition, September 11, 2001: The Day That Changed the World.
And of course, all throughout New York – and indeed the nation and world at large – people gathered and memorialized those who perished at the hands of terrorists 20 years ago.
We will never forget.