Lesson Plans
Explore a host of inquiry-based lesson plans for K to 12 students and their teachers.
Each year on the anniversary of 9/11, the families of victims gather for a ceremony on the 9/11 Memorial plaza to read aloud the names of the 2,983 men, women, and children killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks and February 26, 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Six moments of silence mark the times when each of the World Trade Center towers was struck, when each tower fell, and the times corresponding to the attack at the Pentagon, and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
The memorial exhibition honors the 2,977 individuals killed as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, at this site as well as at the Pentagon and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It also honors the six individuals killed in the terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993.
Offered every year on and around the 9/11 anniversary, this interactive program connects participants with 9/11 Memorial Museum staff and guest speakers who share personal stories about the attacks and explore the importance of commemoration.
Each year in commemoration of 9/11, the twin beams of Tribute in Light shine, recalling the Twin Towers and honoring those killed.
Collection 9/11 Museum, Gift of Jonathan Lockwood Smith, JLS Photo
As years pass, acts of commemoration will raise questions for people without personal memories of the World Trade Center. Learn more about the Twin Towers, which were the centerpieces of the original World Trade Center complex. At 110 stories each, 1 WTC (North Tower) and 2 WTC (South Tower) provided nearly 10 million square feet of office space for about 35,000 people and 430 companies.
Collection 9/11 Museum, Roberto Rabanne Archive. Photo by Roberto Rabanne.
Understanding the events of the day is essential to commemoration. This interactive timeline uses images, audio, and video, as well as first-person accounts from the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s permanent collection, to chronicle the events of September 11, 2001.
Terrorist attacks and acts of extreme violence around the world evoke strong emotions and questions in all of us. Anniversaries of terrorist attacks and moments of commemoration often prompt these difficult emotions and questions for children as well. We have prepared tips as broad guidelines to help parents and caregivers navigate talking to children about terrorism and other mass casualty events.
The following are programmatic elements to consider when planning your 9/11 anniversary observance.
Observe a moment of silence on September 11 at any or all of the following times marking key moments on 9/11. Every year, the moments below are observed as part of the official 9/11 anniversary commemoration ceremony held at the World Trade Center for victims’ families.
Toll bells on September 11 at 8:46 a.m. or at each of the times listed above.
The names of the men, women, and children killed as a result of the 9/11 attacks have been read aloud at the official 9/11 anniversary commemoration in New York City every year. This list of names inscribed on the 9/11 Memorial includes all those killed in the 9/11 attacks and the six individuals killed in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
The 9/11 Memorial Guide allows users to select specific victim names or groups of names, including names of individuals from a certain town or state, a specific company, or first-responder agency.
Lower flags to half-staff on the anniversary of 9/11. Flags may be lowered at 8:46 a.m. to mark the moment when Flight 11 struck the North Tower.
Explore a host of inquiry-based lesson plans for K to 12 students and their teachers.
The Glade honors those who are sick or have died from exposure to toxins in the aftermath of 9/11.