New York commemorates quarter-century since September 11 attacks

New York City observed the silver anniversary of the September 11 attacks with ceremonies at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan. The attacks, carried out by al-Qaeda operatives who hijacked four commercial airplanes, claimed nearly 3,000 lives and reshaped global security policies and geopolitics for decades to come.

During the commemorative events, the names of all victims were read aloud at the memorial site, where two reflecting pools now mark where the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center once stood. City officials, survivors, and family members gathered to pay respects, with many reflecting on the resilience demonstrated by New Yorkers in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The September 11 attacks triggered major shifts in international relations, leading to the U.S.-led war on terror and military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The incident also prompted sweeping changes to aviation security, immigration policies, and intelligence-gathering practices across the Western world.

Quarter-century commemorations serve as a reminder of the attacks' enduring impact on American society and global security frameworks. The annual remembrance continues to unite communities in honoring the lives lost and celebrating the perseverance of survivors and first responders who risked their lives in the immediate aftermath.