New York City held its memorial ceremony on Friday, marking 25 years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Families of the victims gathered at the World Trade Center site to read the names of loved ones and reflect on a day that reshaped the nation.
For the first time, organizers added a seventh moment of silence to this year’s ceremony. It honored the thousands of people who died in the years since from illnesses linked to toxic dust and debris left behind after the towers collapsed.
The addition came just days after New York City released more than 170,000 pages of previously undisclosed records on air quality near Ground Zero. The records showed that city officials at the time knew conditions around the site were unsafe.
Former presidents gather for memorial ceremony in New York City
All living former presidents attended the New York City memorial ceremony, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden, along with Vice President JD Vance. President Donald Trump did not attend the New York event. Instead, he spoke at a separate ceremony at the Pentagon, since sitting politicians have traditionally not been permitted to speak during the New York commemoration.
I was 5 on Sept. 11, 2001.
I don’t remember much of that day but have made an effort to educate myself and pay my respects each 9/11.
Every time I visit NYC, I go to the 9/11 Memorial.
It’s a place of remembrance for all those who lost their lives that day.
Never forget. pic.twitter.com/eTdtn74RDt
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) September 11, 2026
Several relatives of victims shared personal memories during the ceremony. The son of Manuel João DaMota, who did not give his name, said he has spent his life getting to know his father only through stories told by others.
He recalled being told his father loved Christmas lights and music, and said he often imagines the small arguments they might have had, like disagreeing over hanging holiday decorations.
Families share memories of their fathers
The daughter of former FDNY Lt. John P. Napolitano described a double loss for her family. Her father died in the 2001 attacks, and her grandfather, who shared his name, recently died from a 9/11-related illness. She said she finds comfort in knowing the two are now together again.
Daniella Wald spoke about her father, Victor Wald, who died at the World Trade Center. She said his loss shaped her family’s path, pushing her sister toward global affairs and her toward medicine.
She also honored Harry Ramos, a financial trader who died trying to help her father reach safety, saying their names are etched together forever at the memorial.
Firefighters and governor reflect on unity 25 years later
Outside “Ten House,” the fire station closest to the Twin Towers and now home to a memorial wall for the 343 firefighters killed that day, current FDNY members held their own moment of silence.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the anniversary offers a chance to renew the sense of unity that Americans felt in the days following the attacks, when people of different backgrounds came together to help one another.
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