As the US honours the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11, this year’s remembrance is intertwined with presidential campaign politics. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are expected to attend ceremonies at the World Trade Center and Flight 93 National Memorial, following their recent debate.
The possibility of their encounter echoes moments from 2008, when presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama paused their campaigns to visit ground zero together, underscoring unity in the face of tragedy.
Despite the political climate, the focus at the 9/11 ceremonies remains on the victims. Relatives of the deceased read the names of their loved ones, a tradition since the first anniversary. Melissa Tarasiewicz, whose firefighter father died on 9/11, emphasized the day’s significance: “It’s not political. It’s about what these loved ones meant to you.”
President Joe Biden, Harris, and others will also attend Pentagon memorials, commemorating the lives lost when another hijacked plane struck the military headquarters. The attacks, which forever changed US foreign policy and domestic security, continue to resonate deeply, shaping America’s ongoing struggle with the aftermath of terrorism and the wars that followed.
Across the country, communities mark the day with tributes, flag displays, and volunteer efforts, keeping the focus on remembrance and healing. While political figures may attend, the heart of the day remains with the victims’ families.
What happened on 9/11?
On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists from the extremist group Al Qaeda hijacked four commercial planes in the US Two of the planes deliberately crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both skyscrapers to collapse. A third plane struck the Pentagon near Washington, DC, severely damaging the US military headquarters. The fourth plane, believed to be targeting the White House or Capitol, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after brave passengers and crew fought to regain control from the hijackers. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and left a lasting impact on the US and the world. More than 90 countries lost citizens in the attacks, including 67 from the UK.
