23rd Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks: America Remembers and Reflects

23 years later, America remembers victims of the 9/11 attacks

On September 11, 2023, the United States commemorated the 23rd anniversary of 9/11 attacks, which resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths. Ceremonies were held at Ground Zero in New York City, attended by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, showcasing a rare moment of political unity.

Biden and Harris also visited Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon to honor the victims, with Biden emphasizing the resilience of the American spirit against terrorism. The memorial included the reading of victims’ names, with family members sharing personal tributes, highlighting the enduring pain and the importance of remembering those lost in the tragedy.

Key Concepts

• The United States commemorated the 23rd anniversary of 9/11 attacks on September 11, 2023.
• Nearly 3,000 lives were lost in the attacks, prompting annual memorial ceremonies.
• President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attended the memorial at Ground Zero in New York City.
• Former President Donald Trump and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg also participated in the ceremonies.
• The event highlighted a rare moment of unity among political opponents amidst a heated election season.
• Biden and Harris visited Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to honor the site of another hijacked plane crash.
• In his remarks at the Pentagon, Biden emphasized the resilience of the American spirit against terrorism.
• Biden declared the nation’s commitment to preventing future attacks remains steadfast despite the end of the longest war.
• A police bagpipe honor guard participated in the ceremony at the former Twin Towers site.
• Family members of victims attended the memorial, holding photos and sharing their ongoing pain and memories.

On Wednesday, the United States took a moment of silence to reflect and remember the 23rd anniversary of 9/11 attacks. 23 years ago on this day, al-Qaeda terrorists carried out a horrific terrorist attack on the United States, claiming nearly 3,000 lives.

The morning of September 11 this year was crisp and clear, similar to the weather on September 11, 2001. 23 years ago on that day, two hijacked passenger planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. 23 years later, relatives of the victims gathered at the Ground Zero Memorial Garden.

President Joe Biden watched the memorial ceremony accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris. Former President Donald Trump was also on the scene. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg stood in the middle of this group of political opponents.

Less than 12 hours after Harris and Trump had a heated presidential debate in Philadelphia, the two presidential candidates shook hands and seemed to exchange brief pleasantries. They will face off in the election on November 5.

Biden and Harris then visited Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where another plane hijacked by al-Qaeda is believed to have crashed on its way to Washington 23 years ago as passengers and hijackers struggled in the cockpit.

Biden and Harris then headed to the Pentagon outside Washington. It was 23 years ago that a fourth hijacked plane crashed into the side of the five-sided Defense Department headquarters building.

In his statement, Biden remembered the 2,977 people who lost their lives.

“Twenty-three years ago today, terrorists thought they could break our will and force us into submission,” Biden said. “They were wrong. They are always wrong. In our darkest hour, we found the light. In the face of fear, we came together—to defend our country and to help each other. That’s why the terrorists targeted us in the first place: our freedom, our democracy, our unity.”

“They lost. But we must remain vigilant,” the president said. “Today, our longest war finally ends. But our commitment to prevent another attack on our people will never end.”

In New York, a police bagpipe honor guard carried an American flag to the plaza where the Twin Towers once stood. A group of senior U.S. officials watched two bells ring, one at 8:46 a.m. and the other at 9:03 a.m., 23 years after Flight 11 and Flight 175 crashed into the towers.

As is tradition at annual 9/11 memorials, the names of all the victims were solemnly read, and many family members held up photos of their loved ones.

Cathy Naughton came to mourn her cousin, Michael Roberts, who was one of the hundreds of firefighters killed in the terrorist attacks. 23 years later, she said: “The memory is still so fresh and the pain is so severe. We want to make sure that people always remember them, always say their names, and never forget.”