America Remembers 9/11

The US will recognize the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks today, with a number of memorials being held around the country. In New York City, families will gather at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza to read aloud the names of the thousands of victims killed, followed by the annual Tribute in Light ceremony. 

The day is the deadliest terrorist attack in US history (see day-of photos, warning—sensitive), with 2,977 people directly killed—2,606 in the World Trade Center, 246 across four hijacked planes, and 125 at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. The remains of roughly 40% of the victims have not yet been identified. Over 25,000 people were injured in the aftermath, many suffering long-term health consequences from toxic contaminants and trauma. 

The attacks caused protracted wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (see timelines here and here), which ended in 2021 and 2011, respectively.Roughly 15,000 US troops and contractors were killed across post-9/11 missions, with estimates projecting a total combined cost exceeding $3T, with interest on the debt used to finance operations reaching $6.5T by 2050. 

See newspaper headlines from the day after the attacks here. Listen to voicemails recorded by people who lost loved ones on 9/11 and what they wished to say. And view Smithsonian artifacts that tell the story of 9/11 here.