Honoring 9/11

FDNY Engine 343

FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation helps families of injured firefighters. To honor those firefighters who died, they created a fire company for the, Engine 343, and fixed up a 1951 truck. Fire companies all over the country contributed something. Now the truck makes appearances at special events, including those surrounding 9/11.

To Learn More: firehouse.com

Source: Firehouse

9/11 Poem by Former Officer

In a heartfelt poem named “That Day in September,” a former police officer recalls 9/11.

To Learn More: policeone.com/police-heroes

Source: Police One

Memorials Around the Country

Not only are there 9/11 memorials at the three main crash sites but also all around the country. Is there one near you? Visit the article to check it out.

To Learn More: wired.com/2016/09/911-memorials

Source: Wired

Italians March in Solidarity

Demonstrators in Rome carry a banner showing their support of America in the war against terror.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions

Source: Yahoo.com

Workers in Spain

Office Workers in Madrid, Spain, gather to honor the victims of 9/11 by observing a three-minute moment of silence.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions

Source: Yahoo.com

3 Minutes of Silence in Paris

In Paris, France, people gathered in large numbers to observe three minutes of silence in honor of the victims of 9/11.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions

Source: Yahoo.com

Palestinian Leader Gives Blood

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat donates blood at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in a show of solidarity with America and the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions

Source: Yahoo.com

Palestinian Boys Attend Vigil

The attacks on 9/11 led to support from all over the world, including Palestine where children attended a candlelight vigil in front of the U.S. Consulate.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions

Source: Yahoo News

Israeli Woman Mourns

At a ceremony for the victims of 9/11, an Israeli woman holds up a sign expressing the solidarity between America and Israel.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions

Source: Yahoo.com

South Korean Activists

This anti-terrorist rally at Topgol Park in Seoul, South Korea was held after the events of 9/11, condemning the horrific actions taken by al Qaeda.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions-9-11

Source: Yahoo.com

Indian Demonstrators Burn Effigy

Protesters in Bhopal, India demonstrated against the 9/11 terrorist attacks, showing their solidarity with Americans during the crisis.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions-9-11-attacks

Source: Yahoo.com

Child in Belarus Vists 9/11 Vigil

The pain of the 9/11 attacks were felt by many people all around the world, old and young. Here, three-year-old Ruzhana Vecherko lights a candle outside the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus on September 12, 2001.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions-9-11

Source: Yahoo.com

Polish Resident Mourns Victims

Citizens of Poland pray and light candles in front of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw on Sept. 12, 2001.

To Learn More: yahoo.com/news/world-reactions-9-11-attacks

Source: Yahoo.com

Signed Flag from Flight 81

This flag, signed by the crew of United Airlines Flight 81 (which replaced Flight 93 after the events of 9/11), commemorates the 1st anniversary of the terrorist attacks, and remembers those who bravely sacrificed their lives on that day.

To Learn More: amhistory.si.edu/september11/

Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Families Mourn

Even 17 years after the tragic events of 9/11, many families of the victims are still in mourning, paying their respects to those who were lost.

To Learn More: bostonherald.com/2018

Source: The Boston Herald

The World’s Response to 9/11

The rest of the world reacted to the events on 9/11 in many different ways, some spontaneous and some organized, but all in response of the lives lost on that day. From blood drives, to vigils, to the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner, many people found ways to show their support.

To Learn More: mentalfloss.com/article

Source: Mental Floss

StoryCorps 9/11 Animations

This series of short animations were produced by StoryCorps and focused on both the stories of people who were lost in 9/11 terrorist attacks, as well as the stories of their families.

To Learn More: storycorps.org/animation/always-a-family/
To Learn More: storycorps.org/animation/she-was-the-one/
To Learn More: storycorps.org/animation/john-and-joe/

Source: StoryCorps

The Altar for the Lost

This altar, built shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attack, serves as a memorial to those who were lost in the World Trade Center buildings. The photo was taken by a member of the cleanup crew and had been misplaced, along with many other photos, until 2019.

To Learn More: bbc.com/news/technology

Source: BBC

Recovering Equilibrium

This patriotic memorial in the Los Angeles International Airport focuses on the importance of American values in a world after the 9/11 attacks. Designed by BJ Krivanek and Joel Breaux, it humanizes the victims by sharing the parts of their personalities that their friends and family remember them for.

To Learn More: archinect.com/features/article

Source: Archinect

Postcards Memorial

This Staten Island memorial, designed by Masayuki Sono, honors the 274 locals who were killed on 9/11 and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Designed to look like two postcards that symbolize the power of communication, each victim is honored with their name, profile, and information about the lives they lived.

To Learn More: archinect.com/features/article

Source: Archinect

The Rising

This memorial in New York forms an unbreakable circle made of 109 individual strands merging into one, single tower. Designed by Frederic Schwartz, each strand represents a 9/11 victim from Westchester, the town in which the memorial is constructed.

To Learn More: archinect.com/features/article

Source: Archinect

Struggle Against World Terrorism

Given as a gift of solidarity to the United States, this Russian-made memorial in Bayonne, New Jersey reaches ten stories tall. Designed by Zurab Tsereteli, each side of the statue has with the names of victims etched into them.

To Learn More: archinect.com/features/article

Source: Archinect

Eleven Tears

Designed by Ken Smith, this memorial in the Three World Foundation Center remembers the American Express employees lost during the 9/11 attacks. The reflecting pool has seven sides, one for each of the victims, and has a slow, teardrop-like drip that creates ripples.

To Learn More: archinect.com/features/article/

Source: Archinect

Courage and Commitment

This statue, located in in Oak Lawn, Illinois and designed by Erik Blome, consists of two, 14-foot-tall bronze spires that serve as a reminder of the victims lost on 9/11.  Along with many textures and imprints modeled after the World Trade Center architecture, it also includes lifelike depictions of people in mourning.

To Learn More: archinect.com/features/article/

Source: Archinect

Memoria E Luce

The Memoria E Luce memorial, designed by Daniel Libeskind, preserves the memories of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Located in Padua, Italy, it contains a steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center wreckage. It looks a little bit like an open book, meant to be the Book of History, where the light (luce) of Liberty shines on the page of the book open to memories (memoria) of the victims of 9/11.

To Learn More: archinect.com/features/article/

Source: Archinect

United 93 (2006)

One of the most critically acclaimed films of 2006, United 93 relied on video and voice recorder transcripts, interviews with the victim’s families, and other information available from the investigation to maintain a high quality of historical accuracy.

To Learn More: en.wikipedia.org/United93(film)

Source: Wikipedia

Flight 93 (2006)

This 2006 made-for-television movie tells the story of the passengers aboard United Airlines flight 93, giving life to the heroic actions they took against their terrorist hijackers.

To Learn More: en.wikipedia.org/Flight93(film)

Source: Wikipedia

Victim Compensation Fund

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund is an organization that helps people who were injured or had lost loved ones during the 2001 terrorist attacks. With a total of 7 billion dollars awarded across 5,560 cases, the VCF has had one of the greatest impacts on the victims and survivors of that tragic day.

To Learn More: vcf.gov

Source: September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

Louisville Fire Department

Every year, Louisville firefighters gather to remember the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. During the event, the American flag outside the Louisville Fire Headquarters is lowered to half-mast, and a moment of silence is performed at the same moment that the second World Trade tower collapsed.

To Learn More: wlky.com/article/louisville

Source: WLKY

9/11 Teaching

Educating children about the events of 9/11 proved to be very challenging in weeks, months, and even years after the attacks, but it still remained an important goal for teachers everywhere. To help teachers, PBS provides provided articles, videos, and lesson plans that instructors could share with their students.

To Learn More: pbs.org/911-anniversary

Source: PBS NewsHour

Entertainment Effects

The September 11th attacks had a significant impact on the world, especially the entertainment industry. Shortly after the attacks, the United States and several other countries postponed, edited, or even cancelled television shows and movies that portrayed terrorism, plane crashes, bombs, or any other imagery related to the 9/11 attacks.

Edited Films

Films released in the months directly after 9/11 were often edited to remove any references to the tragic events. Most famously, the teaser trailer and promotional poster for Spider-Man was altered so that the Twin Towers could no longer be seen in the background.

Delayed films

In the wake of national tragedy, many movies were delayed so that they would not come out during the time of crisis. The release of Collateral Damage, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was delayed by four months because the movie featured a terrorist bombing.

Cancelled films

Due to the nation’s sensitivity after 9/11, some filmmakers decided it was best to cancel their productions altogether instead of risking the release of something with possibly offensive themes. James Cameron proved to be among this crowd when he cancelled his sequel to the 1990’s action hit True Lies.

Non-altered films

Some films released after 9/11, including Vanilla Sky from director Cameron Crowe, decided to keep the scenes featuring the World Trade Center instead of removing them. These decisions were often met with criticism from the public.

Other changes

Many movies were altered simply because there was a chance that a theme or image might remind people of 9/11, even if the movie had no direct links to the event. The film Spy Game, for example, reduced the size of a tower of smoke because the studio thought it looked too similar to shots of the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks.

With the World Trade Center added

Many filmmakers have used computer-generated imagery (CGI) to add the World Trade Center into films and television series that were set before 9/11. The 2005 film Munich, for example, which takes place in 1977, has a scene with the Twin Towers in the background.

To Learn More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_entertainment_affected_by_the_September_11_attacks

Source: Wikipedia

Benefit Concert

Brooklyn native Jay-Z performs at Madison Square Garden in tribute to the firefighters and first responders who gave their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. With the help of many other artists, including Beyoncé and Rihanna, the concert raised one million dollars for the New York Police and Fire Widows and Children’s Benefit Fund.

To Learn More: nbcnewyork.com/jay-z-911

Source: NBC New York

Donation of Custom Shoes

New York Mets player Pete Alonso donates a pair of custom-painted cleats to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum as a tribute to all of the lives that were lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks. 

To Learn More: abc7ny.com/pete-alonso

Source: ABC 7 New York

A Giant Mural of a Firefighter

Painted by renowned Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra and revealed in 2018, this mural of a fireman in mourning graces a midtown building in New York City. It reflects the bravery of the first responders who lost their lives as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

To Learn More: timeout.com/newyork/news/a-giant-mural-of-a-firefighter-was-unveiled-in-midtown-on-9-11

Source: Timeout

9/11 Memorial in Paris

Ten years after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, France memorializes the fallen with a powerful showing of solidarity. Built to frame Paris’ Eiffel Tower, this temporary monument,  presented in both French and English, shows how far the message of hope can reach.

To Learn More: untappedcities.com/2011/09/10/911-memorial-in-paris-the-french-will-never-forget/

Source: Untapped New York

Living Memorial Plaza in Israel

The “9/11 Living Memorial Plaza” in Jerusalem honors the 2,983 victims of the terrorist attacks, five of whom were Isreali citizens. It is the only 9/11 memorial not on American soil to feature the names of all the victims.

To Learn More: jpost.com/israel-news/did-you-know-593131

Source: The Jerusalem Post

New Zealand Haka Dance

Firefighters in New Zealand perform the Haka, an ancient Maori war dance, to pay tribute to the first responders who lost their lives in the attacks on 9/11. At the end of the performance, over 200 firefighters climbed the stairs of Auckland’s Sky Tower in tribute.

To Learn More: abcnews.go.com/International/zealand-firefighters-perform-haka-powerful-tribute-911-responders/story?id=65536221

Source: ABC News

SNL Tribute with Mayor Giuliani

This Saturday Night Live episode, which aired on September 29, 2001, was a tribute to the people of New York, the victims of the terrorist attacks, and first responders. It was the first nationally aired show after 9/11 and featured a heart-warming introduction by New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. 

To Learn More: nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/911-tribute-with-mayor-giuliani/n11612

Source: NBC

Kentucky to “Never Forget”

At the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Radcliff, Kentucky, a memorial pays tribute to the victims and first responders of 9/11. Opened in 2016, the memorial contains remnants of the World Trade Center’s North Tower, as well as charred cement from the Pentagon attack.

To Learn More: wdrb.com/news/kentucky-keeps-promise-to-never-forget-with-memorial/article_68a152d9-1d06-5ba9-b94f-ef1954cb8efa.html

Source: WDRB

6 Moments of Silence

As part of the 9/11 anniversary commemoration, six moments of silence are observed, all of which are linked to the tragic events of that day. The American public is also encouraged to participate in the tradition.

They are as follows: 

  • 8:46 a.m: Flight 11 crashes into the north tower.
  • 9:03 a.m.: Flight 175 crashes into the south tower.
  • 9:37 a.m.: Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon.
  • 9:59 a.m.: The south tower collapses.
  • 10:03 a.m.: Flight 93 crashes into an empty field near Shanksville, Pa after a passenger intervention.
  • 10:28 a.m.: The north tower collapses.”

To Learn More: insideedition.com/6-moments

Source: Inside Edition

National Day of Service

September 11, now also known as Patriot Day, was marked by Congress as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Those interested in commemorating the date will often participate in volunteer work aimed to help their fellow Americans.

To Learn More: nationalservice.gov/serve/september-11th-national-day-service-and-remembrance

Source: Corporation for National and Community Service

9/11 Tribute in Light

On September 11 every year, “The Tribute in Light” pierces the New York skyline to commemorate the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. It remains lit until the following morning as a memorial to the civilians and first responders who lost their lives on that fateful day.

To Learn More: abc7ny.com/september-11-2001-attack-world-trade-center/293062/

Source: ABC 7 NY

Louisville, KY Memorial Concert

The “9/11 Salute to Our Heroes at 4th Street Live” concert was performed on September 11, 2016 in Louisville, KY and marked the 15 year anniversary of the tragedy. Country artist Jake Dodds and many others lent their talents to help ensure that the historic date will never be forgotten.

To Learn More:  courier-journal.com/story/news

Source: Courier-Journal

September 11 Memorial Concert

“A Concert of Hope” marked the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and was held at the Kennedy Center in the nation’s capital. The speakers and performers included such dignitaries and celebrities as Barack Obama, Anderson Cooper, Patti LaBelle, Alan Jackson, and many more.

To Learn More: c-span.org/video/?301473-2/september-11-memorial-concert

Source: C-SPAN

United We Stand

“United We Stand: What More Can I Give” was a benefit concert led by Michael Jackson and performed at RFK Stadium in our nation’s capital. Jackson, who had accidentally missed a meeting at the World Trade Center scheduled for September 11, 2001, organized the concert as a tribute.

To Learn More: youtube.com/watch?v=IkRDozfX-xI

Source: Calerami Youtube Channel

America: A Tribute to Heroes

“America: A Tribute to Heroes” was a 9/11 benefit concert that was broadcast live on American television on September 21, 2001. Over $200 million was raised and given to the United Way’s September 11 Telethon Fund.

To Learn More: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5pFyvaKgcs

Source: Glen Campbell and Much Much More

The Concert for New York City

In response to the 9/11 attacks, the “Concert for New York City” took place on October 20, 2001, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was done both for charity and to honor the first responders, their families, and those who were lost in the attacks.

To Learn More: youtube.com/watch?v=7bbjMPhnhLg

Source: YouTube Movies

Senator Johnny Isakson’s Speech

On the 12th Anniversary of the attack, Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson reminds the American people why it is important to not only remember 9/11 but to be thankful for the first responders who put their lives at risk to keep the nation safe. He reminds us that, even today, American should remain vigilant against global terrorism.

To Learn More: youtube.com/watch?v=WybkqOrbVfc

Source: Senator Isakson Youtube Channel

8th Grader Delivers 9/11 Speech

In her speech, 8th Grader Taylor Frennete, who was only ten years old when 9/11 happened, praises the first responders who worked so hard to save lives and reminds us all to be thankful for their service.

To Learn More: youtube.com/watch?v=kRJf4Qww0t8

Source: WMUR-TV

President Trump Honors Heroes

On the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, President Donald Trump, along with the first lady, speaks at the Pentagon. He promises that the victims and heroes, along with all of their sacrifices, will never be forgotten.

To Learn More: cnn.com/videos/us/2019/09/11/president-trump-september-11-attacks-anniversary-remarks-sot-vpx.cnn

Source: CNN

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