US holds memorials for the 9/11 attacks, 25 years later

What the report says

Americans marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with memorial events in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. The commemorations honoured the nearly 3,000 people killed when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville.

At Ground Zero in New York City, families gathered at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, where the twin reflecting pools now stand in place of the former towers. Relatives read the names of the dead during the annual ceremony, continuing a tradition observed since the attacks. Memorial visitors also left flowers and paid respects at the site.

In Arlington, Virginia, remembrance events were held at the Pentagon, where American Airlines Flight 77 hit the building and killed 184 people. US President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were among those who spoke there. In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, families and officials gathered to honour the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, whose revolt is believed to have prevented the aircraft from reaching a target in Washington, DC.

The anniversary also served as a reminder of the long-term impact of the attacks. Al Jazeera noted the continuing health consequences for survivors and recovery workers exposed to toxic dust and chemicals, and the broader changes to US security and foreign policy that followed 9/11.