9/11 25th anniversary live updates: Families gather for ceremonies at World Trade Center, Pentagon, Shanksville

Ceremonies were held Friday in New York City, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Friday marks 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, which claimed the lives of 2,977 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Another 9,000 people have died from 9/11-related illnesses over the last 25 years.

Victims' families, first responders and politicians gathered for annual remembrance ceremonies at the memorials in downtown Manhattan, the Pentagon in Virginia, and Shanksville, as Americans across the country pause to remember and reflect.

"9/11 Tribute in Light: Live from Lower Manhattan," a one-hour ABC News multiplatform live special, premieres on Friday, Sept. 11, at 8:00 p.m. EDT across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic, ABC Owned Television Stations livestreams and ABC News Live.

9-11 25 Years Later, America Remembers
ABC News
Sep 11, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT

Victim's son concludes reading of names by speaking out against hate

The reading of the names at the New York City ceremony concluded with powerful words from the son of victim Michael Massaroli.

“You do my dad’s legacy and the legacy of all these victims no honor by using this tragedy to spread hate,” he said.

PHOTO: People look out at the South Tower pool at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 7, 2026, in New York City.
People ook lout at the South Tower pool at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 7, 2026, in New York City.
Gary Hershorn/ABC News

“We have seen a medley of people come up today [to read victims’ names], of all races, all religions, all creeds,” he said.

“I’ve had to grow up and spend the past 25 years seeing people use [9/11] to hate on our Muslim brothers and sisters, to hate on people who don’t look like them. And that’s wrong and that does no honor to the victims here,” he said, as the crowd applauded. “I want to use the little platform I have to ask for that to please stop.”

He also thanked the dignitaries and families who stayed until the end of the reading of the names, saying every single name matters.

A victims ID badge sits on his name on the 9/11 Memorial for the South Tower ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center, September 7, 2026, in New York City.
Gary Hershorn/ABC News
Sep 11, 2026, 1:14 PM EDT

Victim's sister pleads with politicians to recognize 9/11 as day of remembrance

At the reading of the names at the New York City ceremony, the sister of Marsh & McLennan employee Sal Tieri Jr. said her brother left behind two sons who were ages 7 and 5 in 2001.

“I searched for 10 days in this city, looking in every hospital imaginable, looking for my brother who was my best friend and rock,” she said.

PHOTO: Roses  stand on the 9/11 Memorial for the South Tower ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 7, 2026, in New York City.
Roses stand on the 9/11 Memorial for the South Tower ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 7, 2026, in New York City.
Gary Hershorn/ABC News

She then pleaded with politicians to recognize 9/11 as a day of remembrance.

“Please, dignitaries who are listening and are in attendance today: We, the family members and U.S. citizens who voted you into office, in our strongest possible voice -- we are demanding, pleading, insisting that the federal and local government agencies, with their respective lawmakers, designate, orchestrate and finally implement … mark this day, Sept. 11, as a day of atonement, recognition, remembrance and reflection for all the souls lost.”

Many in the crowd applauded, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Sep 11, 2026, 12:57 PM EDT

New 7th moment of silence honors victims of 9/11 illnesses

For the first time, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum added a seventh moment of silence at this year's ceremony to honor those who have died of illnesses related to their time at or near the World Trade Center site.

For the past 24 years, there have been six moments of silence: two to mark the times when the planes struck the World Trade Center towers; one to mark when a plane struck the Pentagon; one to mark when a plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and the two times the World Trade Center towers collapsed. Each moment of silence is followed by a bell toll.

This new, seventh moment of silence was observed at the conclusion of the reading of the names and will be a permanent part of the annual ceremony.

More than 9,000 people have now died from 9/11-related illnesses, approximately three times the number killed on Sept. 11, 2001, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.

Click here to read more.

Sep 11, 2026, 12:09 PM EDT

'We will never forget'

Family members of 9/11 victims are continuing to read their names at the downtown Manhattan ceremony.

The granddaughter of FDNY Lt. Robert Wallace said, “Not many moments go by where I don’t think about you.”

PHOTO: Sept 11 Anniversary
Mourners pause as they stand at the memorial during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks at the National September 11 Memorial in New York, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Spencer Platt/Pool via AP

“Papa, even though we never met, I see you in everything. In mom, in Nana … and your seven grandkids,” she said.

“We will never forget your heroic sacrifice,” she said.

Cantor Fitzgerald employee William Raub's daughter was just 6 years old on 9/11.

One World Trade Center is seen in the background as flowers are left at the memorial during the 25th anniversary commemoration of the September 11, 2001 attacks at the National September 11 Memorial in New York on September 11, 2026.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

"I can still feel how much you love me 25 years later,” she said, “and I’m so lucky and so proud to be your daughter. We miss you so much."

The wife of Cantor Fitzgerald employee John Candela said, "Thank you, God, for putting John in my life and for the peace I have knowing that I will see John again in heaven."

“John, I love you tons. I miss your hugs. God bless us all and God bless America."

The names of all the victims can be seen here on the 9/11 Memorial & Museum website.

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