The United States marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with solemn commemorations, led by a primary ceremony at Ground Zero in New York City, according to reports from BFMTV. Families of the victims gathered at the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan to read the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed on September 11, 2001.
High-Ranking Officials and Former Presidents Gather at Ground Zero
Vice President JD Vance attended the Manhattan ceremony alongside four former U.S. presidents: Democrats Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton, along with Republican George W. Bush, who was in office during the 2001 attacks, as reported by BFMTV. Donald Trump did not attend the New York event, choosing instead to deliver remarks from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
“Today, we renew the serment sacré that we have pronounced for the first time in their name a quarter of a century ago,” Donald Trump stated during his address at the Department of Defense headquarters, according to BFMTV. “We will never forget. That is why we are fighting today. We have no choice. There can only be victory.”
Families Voice Criticism of Saudi Arabia During Commemorations
During the tightly regulated speaking program in New York, two family members of victims sharply criticized Saudi Arabia, the country of origin for the majority of the hijackers and Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, as detailed by BFMTV. “For 25 years, administration after administration, including leaders standing before us today, have chosen to protect the Saudis rather than stand with the 9/11 families,” said Terry Strada, whose husband died in the attacks.
The event also featured Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old member of the Democratic Socialists of America and the first mayor of New York to have sworn in on a Quran, whose presence drew criticism from conservative figures such as former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, according to BFMTV. Giuliani expressed offense at Mamdani’s attendance at Ground Zero.
Health Consequences and Long-Term Impact a Quarter-Century Later
Beyond the initial deaths, federal medical monitoring programs indicate that more than 9,400 individuals have died from illnesses linked to toxic exposure following the collapses, according to BFMTV. Zohran Mamdani announced the upcoming release of tens of thousands of municipal documents concerning air toxicity measurements recorded in the aftermath of the disaster.
Beth Hillman, president of the 11-Septembre Memorial Museum, noted to BFMTV that a quarter-century after the attacks, approximately 100 million Americans were either unborn or too young to remember the events firsthand. Consequently, the institution is shifting its focus toward educational outreach programs utilizing trained witnesses to inform younger generations.
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