The United States observed the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with solemn ceremonies across the country. Events included wreath-laying, moments of silence, vigils, and readings of victims’ names to remember those who lost their lives in the attacks. On 11 September 2001, hijackers from al-Qaeda crashed four commercial jets into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people died in those attacks that changed life in America forever. For the first time, the New York ceremony included a seventh moment of silence for people who later died from illnesses linked to toxic exposure after the attacks.
President Donald Trump attended a ceremony at the Pentagon rather than in New York City, which drew criticism from some families of victims, according to Euronews. He said that America would never forget the sacrifices made and emphasized the ongoing fight against terrorism. Vice President JD Vance and former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden attended the Ground Zero ceremony.
The attacks led to major changes in U.S. air travel and government structure. The Department of Homeland Security was created, new surveillance powers were introduced, and federal regulations on banking were updated. A culture of vigilance grew, with the slogan ‘if you see something, say something’ becoming widely known. Many Americans joined military, police, or fire departments in the wake of the attacks. The slogan was first adopted by New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority after 9/11 and was later used nationally by the Department of Homeland Security. The USA PATRIOT Act also expanded anti-money laundering requirements and other rules for financial institutions.
In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani participated in a Ground Zero ceremony despite criticism from some public figures. A petition signed by more than 100,000 people urged him not to attend the event. Mamdani had recently released documents showing what city officials knew about air quality after the attacks. His administration released more than 170,000 pages of records through a new public portal after settling lawsuits brought by 9/11 Health Watch.
These documents suggested that asbestos contamination remained in Lower Manhattan for months after the towers collapsed, according to a report from insideclimatenews.org. The World Trade Center Health Program was created to support those affected by the attacks. It serves more than 145,000 responders and survivors under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. The CDC now describes the program as serving nearly 150,000 members across the United States and its territories.
Dr. Michael Crane, medical director at Mount Sinai Hospital’s World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence, described the dust cloud that formed during the collapse. He said the dust was thick and choking, mostly made up of concrete and other materials from the buildings. The mixture included asbestos insulation, plastics, metals, and more, which turned into fumes and small particles that people inhaled. This caused serious irritation to the lungs and other parts of the body. CDC research confirms that the dust contained cement, glass fibers, plastics, metals, asbestos and other hazardous materials.
Firefighters and others who worked at Ground Zero were especially affected by the dust. They often had loud coughing fits and suffered from inflammation in their lungs and esophagus. Some responders also experienced sinus problems and other issues from breathing the particles.
Dr. Crane recalled how early on, medical staff had to treat these workers with asthma medications to ease their symptoms. Even though they were told to rest, many of the responders returned to work in dangerous conditions. He said their anger and desire to protect their city drove them back into harm’s way.
Dr. Crane noted that cancer rates among responders may rise after a certain number of years have passed. He expressed hope that he would be wrong about this outcome. Beyond physical health issues, responders also faced mental health challenges like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. He said therapy was needed to help manage these long-term effects. More than 9,000 people enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program have died since 9/11, although officials say it is difficult to determine what role 9/11 exposures played in each death.
The attacks also left lasting impacts on American society and public perception. They sparked a debate over the balance between security and personal freedom.
Muslim Americans have since become more visible in public life, including in leadership roles like Mayor Mamdani’s. The events of September 11 continue to influence how the U.S. approaches safety and civil liberties today. Reuters reported that the attacks continue to shape U.S. foreign policy, domestic security and public attitudes toward Muslim Americans 25 years later.
Image: View of the Twin Towers World Trade Center 1988 Ulli 2mecs CC4