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United States Commemorates 25th Anniversary of September 11 Terrorist Attacks
Just the facts
Commemorative events took place at the World Trade Center memorial, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, honoring the 2,977 victims killed in the 2001 attacks. Four former U.S. presidents—Barack Obama, Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—attended the New York ceremony, while President Donald Trump delivered an address at the Pentagon. In lower Manhattan, a light display using thousands of illuminated drones paid tribute to the victims, and a seventh moment of silence was added to honor first responders who died from post-9/11 health complications. Concurrently, the Central Intelligence Agency declassified dozens of Presidential Daily Briefs from prior to September 11, 2001, detailing early intelligence gathered on Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. Additionally, Terry Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United, delivered remarks criticizing U.S. diplomatic protections of Saudi Arabia and called for greater government accountability.
Why this is news
Ceremonies across New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The anniversary was accompanied by speeches from political leaders and the declassification of historical CIA intelligence briefs.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.