Monday was a humbling day for Americans as we remembered the tragedy that occurred on September 11th, 2001, and honored those whose lives were taken on that day.
Bells rang at ground zero as people gathered at memorials, firehouses, and elsewhere to observe the 22nd anniversary of the harrowing attack at the World Trade Center in New York City. The memory of those victims is being consistently preserved as Americans vowed to “never forget” what happened that fateful day.
For instance, multiple monuments dot the nation, often depicting heroic first responders who bravely risked, and sometimes gave, their own lives to save others. Ahead of this year’s anniversary, the New York City Fire Department added 43 names to its World Trade Center Memorial Wall.
These firefighters died from 9/11-related illnesses and were added to the wall during a ceremony by Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. The total number of FDNY members who died from 9/11-related illnesses has now risen to 331.
Meanwhile, authorities continue working to identify those who were lost. A breakthrough was made in this identification process just last week. Forensic analysis was able to confirm the identities of two people last week. This is the first positive identification of victims from this tragedy since September 2021.
The names of these newly-identified victims were not revealed at request of the family.
As of now 1,649 victims of the World Trade Center attacks have been officially identified. Over 1,000 remains have yet to be identified and are currently stored at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
But the anniversary is also being marked with the completion of a new site said to help New Yorkers “celebrate life and … the resilience of New Yorkers and of the country.” That statement is from Khady Kamara, who is the executive director of the newly-installed Perelman Performing Arts Center.
Dubbed as PAC NYC, the center finished construction at ground zero 20 years after it was initially envisioned and marks the final major redevelopment piece of the World Trade Center site. The $560 million project will open later this month.
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was an instrumental financier for the project, told CBS News that the World Trade Center itself is almost unrecognizable more than 20 years after the attacks.
President Joe Biden honored the day in Anchorage, Alaska, following his return from Vietnam, breaking from presidential tradition of giving remarks in Washington or New York.
Former President Donald Trump released a message of his own thanking first responders and honoring those who gave their lives.