As the sun rose over Ground Zero on the 24th anniversary of 9/11, tears mingled with memories as officials, families, and first responders gathered to honor the fallen, reminding us that while time may heal, the echoes of that day still resonate in the heart of New York.
A fiery blasts rocks the World Trade Center after being hit by two planes September 11, 2001 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
A New York City fireman calls for 10 more rescue workers to make their way into the rubble of the World Trade Center September 14, 2001 days after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. (U.S. Navy Photo by Preston Keres/Getty Images) People rush away from the collapsing World Trade Center September 11, 2001 after two hijacked airplanes ran into the two towers in New York City in an apparent terrorist attack. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) People walk in the street in the area where the World Trade Center buildings collapsed September 11, 2001 after two airplanes slammed into the twin towers in a suspected terrorist attack. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Rescue workers sift through the wreckage of the World Trade Center September 13, 2001 in New York City, two days after two hijacked airplanes slammed into the twin towers, levelling them in an alleged terrorist attack. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) A 200-foot gash exposes interior sections of the Pentagon following a suspected terrorist crash of a hijacked commercial airliner into the Pentagon September 11, 2001 in Arlington, VA. The attack came at approximately 9:40 a.m. as the plane, originating from Washington D.C.'s Dulles airport, was flown into the southern side of the building. (Photo by Bob Houlihan/U.S. Navy/Getty Images) Thousands gather for a candlelight vigil remembering the victims of last year's terrorist attacks September 11, 2002 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images) A firefighter looks photos of victims at the opening of the new Tribute Center September 6, 2006 in New York City. The Tribute Center is located across the street from the former Ground Zero site and is intended to share the personal stories of 9/11 victims, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, volunteers, and residents of Lower Manhattan. The centre is open by invitation only through September 17th and then opens to the general public September 18th. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend a September 11th observance event in the courtyard of the Pentagon September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) US President Donald J. Trump (R) kisses the hand of First Lady Melania Trump (L), following his remarks during a ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, USA, 11 September 2025. President Trump commented on the death of rightwing activist Charlie Kirk, saying the he will posthumously award him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. EPA/SHAWN THEW US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (R) shakes hands with US President Donald J. Trump (L) during a ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, USA, 11 September 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW The signatures of US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are shown after they signed a guest book in a chapel at the Pentagon following a September 11th observance event September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) A flag of the United States is placed on the south reflecting pool before the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honoring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images) A child wears a shirt with the names of first responders killed during the 9/11 terror attack during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Local and national government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honouring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) A person looks at the south reflecting pool before the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honoring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images) Diane Massaroli carries a picture of her late husband, Michael Massaroli, who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald at the World Trade Center who died during the attacks, before the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honouring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images) First responders attend the US flag unfurling ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, USA, 11 September 2025. US President Trump will later take part in the annual 9/11 memorial ceremony in the courtyard of the Pentagon. EPA/SHAWN THEW A first responder stands in front of a large American flag after it is unfurled on the side of the Pentagon to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Later today, US President Donald Trump will visit the Pentagon to lay a wreath to honor the victims of the September 11th terror attack. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) People gather at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum on September 8, 2025, in New York City. The nation will commemorate the twenty-fourth anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001, which killed 2,977 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and those aboard Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) People embrace during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honoring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images) Mementos left at the Wall of Names following the memorial ceremony at the Flight 93 National Memorial on September 11, 2025 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The nation is marking the twenty-fourth anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, when the terrorist group al-Qaeda flew hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center, Shanksville, PA and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people.(Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images) Guest pause for a moment of silence during a September 11th observance event in the courtyard of the Pentagon September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) In a path referred to as the “Way of Light,” sunlight shines across the Oculus floor, near the exact axis of what would be the North Tower, in lower Manhattan on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on September 11, 2025, in New York City. Santiago Calatrava purposefully designed the WTC Hub to allow for this powerfully symbolic moment to occur every year at exactly 10:28 a.m., the same time the North Tower fell. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Firefighters observe a moment of silence outside of Firehouse, Engine Company 10 and Ladder Company 10, during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honoring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images). DM
I know that all over the world more people died in a number of other events and continue to do so. What made this event more striking was that so many of the people that died were the first responders that rushed in to help others. By chance I had to be in NY very soon after (the site was still smoldering) and it left an impression that is impossible to shake.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-1162934-1.jpg "A New York City fireman calls for 10 more rescue workers to make their way into the rubble of the World Trade Center September 14, 2001 days after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. (U.S. Navy Photo by Preston Keres/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-1159821-1.jpg "People rush away from the collapsing World Trade Center September 11, 2001 after two hijacked airplanes ran into the two towers in New York City in an apparent terrorist attack. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-1161101-1.jpg "People walk in the street in the area where the World Trade Center buildings collapsed September 11, 2001 after two airplanes slammed into the twin towers in a suspected terrorist attack. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-1339510-1.jpg "Rescue workers sift through the wreckage of the World Trade Center September 13, 2001 in New York City, two days after two hijacked airplanes slammed into the twin towers, levelling them in an alleged terrorist attack. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-1328583-1.jpg "A 200-foot gash exposes interior sections of the Pentagon following a suspected terrorist crash of a hijacked commercial airliner into the Pentagon September 11, 2001 in Arlington, VA. The attack came at approximately 9:40 a.m. as the plane, originating from Washington D.C.'s Dulles airport, was flown into the southern side of the building. (Photo by Bob Houlihan/U.S. Navy/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-1379503-1.jpg "Thousands gather for a candlelight vigil remembering the victims of last year's terrorist attacks September 11, 2002 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-71799496-1.jpg "A firefighter looks photos of victims at the opening of the new Tribute Center September 6, 2006 in New York City. The Tribute Center is located across the street from the former Ground Zero site and is intended to share the personal stories of 9/11 victims, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, volunteers, and residents of Lower Manhattan. The centre is open by invitation only through September 17th and then opens to the general public September 18th. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234858422.jpg "US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend a September 11th observance event in the courtyard of the Pentagon September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/13336156.jpg "US President Donald J. Trump (R) kisses the hand of First Lady Melania Trump (L), following his remarks during a ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, USA, 11 September 2025. President Trump commented on the death of rightwing activist Charlie Kirk, saying the he will posthumously award him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. EPA/SHAWN THEW")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/13336606.jpg "US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (R) shakes hands with US President Donald J. Trump (L) during a ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, USA, 11 September 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234873164.jpg "The signatures of US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are shown after they signed a guest book in a chapel at the Pentagon following a September 11th observance event September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2234154958.jpg "A flag of the United States is placed on the south reflecting pool before the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honoring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234834915.jpg "A child wears a shirt with the names of first responders killed during the 9/11 terror attack during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Local and national government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honouring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2234155290-2.jpg "A person looks at the south reflecting pool before the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honoring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234156554.jpg "Diane Massaroli carries a picture of her late husband, Michael Massaroli, who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald at the World Trade Center who died during the attacks, before the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honouring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/13335620.jpg "First responders attend the US flag unfurling ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, USA, 11 September 2025. US President Trump will later take part in the annual 9/11 memorial ceremony in the courtyard of the Pentagon. EPA/SHAWN THEW")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234156312.jpg "A first responder stands in front of a large American flag after it is unfurled on the side of the Pentagon to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Later today, US President Donald Trump will visit the Pentagon to lay a wreath to honor the victims of the September 11th terror attack. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234385618.jpg "People gather at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum on September 8, 2025, in New York City. The nation will commemorate the twenty-fourth anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001, which killed 2,977 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and those aboard Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234173566.jpg "People embrace during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honoring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234181063.jpg "Mementos left at the Wall of Names following the memorial ceremony at the Flight 93 National Memorial on September 11, 2025 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The nation is marking the twenty-fourth anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, when the terrorist group al-Qaeda flew hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center, Shanksville, PA and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people.(Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234193216.jpg "Guest pause for a moment of silence during a September 11th observance event in the courtyard of the Pentagon September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234868951.jpg "In a path referred to as the “Way of Light,” sunlight shines across the Oculus floor, near the exact axis of what would be the North Tower, in lower Manhattan on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on September 11, 2025, in New York City. Santiago Calatrava purposefully designed the WTC Hub to allow for this powerfully symbolic moment to occur every year at exactly 10:28 a.m., the same time the North Tower fell. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2234175533.jpg "Firefighters observe a moment of silence outside of Firehouse, Engine Company 10 and Ladder Company 10, during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. Government officials joined family, friends, and first responders as they gathered at Ground Zero honoring the lives of their loved ones on the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images). DM")
A fiery blasts rocks the World Trade Center after being hit by two planes September 11, 2001 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)