U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by attending a ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday. Simultaneously, all four former living presidents will participate in a Ground Zero ceremony in New York City.
This marks the second consecutive year that President Trump will be present at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., just outside Washington, D.C. The tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, resulted in the loss of 184 lives at the Pentagon after American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked by Islamist militants.
The attacks, attributed to al-Qaeda, a designated terrorist organization by the U.S. government two years prior, involved the hijackings of four planes. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center complex, causing the collapse of the twin towers, while another plane crashed in Shanksville, Pa. Officials determined that the hijackers of the Pennsylvania-bound plane intended to target Washington but were prevented from reaching their destination by courageous passengers and crew members who intervened.
The total death toll from the attacks was nearly 3,000, including 24 Canadian citizens. In New York, dignitaries, survivors, and families are gathering to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the tragic day, with a focus on honoring the victims, first responders, and community members who supported each other in the aftermath of the attacks.
Vice-President JD Vance will join former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden at the observance in New York’s Ground Zero area in Lower Manhattan. The ceremony traditionally includes reading the names of all the victims by their relatives, interspersed with moments of silence marking key points in the attack timeline. This year, there will also be a silent tribute to acknowledge those who have succumbed to illnesses related to exposure to the toxic dust from the collapse of the twin towers.
In Canada, a solemn ceremony is expected to take place in central Newfoundland, where thousands will gather in remembrance. Additionally, Trump administration officials will attend a ceremony in Shanksville. Across the United States, various remembrances will be held on Friday to honor the memory of the victims.
During a recent event at the Ellipse near the White House, President Trump reiterated his commitment to never forgetting the victims of 9/11, emphasizing the profound impact the attacks had on history. The aftermath of the attacks led to significant changes in air travel, security measures, and the establishment of entities like the Department of Homeland Security.
The U.S.-led global war on terrorism, which included military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, emanated from the 9/11 attacks. While Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, was eliminated in Pakistan in 2011, the accused mastermind behind 9/11, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, remains in detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, awaiting trial 23 years after his capture.
Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien at the time, supported the U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of 159 Canadian service members and seven civilians during the prolonged deployment.
