American flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States on September 11 as the country marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed 2,977 people and reshaped the nation.
The observance comes alongside memorial ceremonies, moments of silence and service events planned nationwide. Federal agencies, state governments, organizations and private citizens are being called on to participate in Patriot Day observances and displays of remembrance.
Key Points
- Friday marks 25 years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
- U.S. flags are expected to be flown at half-staff on September 11 to observe Patriot Day.
- Americans are encouraged to observe moments of silence and take part in commemorative events.
- A seventh moment of silence has been added this year to honor people who later died from 9/11-related illnesses and injuries.
How Americans Are Marking the 25th Anniversary
- Flags flown at half-staff nationwide
- Reading of victims’ names in New York
- Seven moments of silence throughout the ceremony
- Volunteer projects for the National Day of Service
- Special exhibitions at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Beyond official ceremonies, the anniversary is being marked through exhibitions and educational programs.
The “Our Flag Was Still There” installation at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum features flags connected to Ground Zero, the Pentagon and the response that followed the attacks, exploring how the Stars and Stripes became a symbol of resilience and national unity during a period of grief.
Patriot Day is also recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging Americans to honor victims through volunteer work and community engagement.
Across the country, local governments, veterans groups and civic organizations are expected to hold memorial programs throughout the anniversary period.
The Legacy of 9/11 Continues
The anniversary also comes as legal proceedings related to the attacks continue. Last month, a military judge set a June 5, 2028, trial date for alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three co-defendants at Guantánamo Bay, following the collapse of a proposed plea agreement that would have avoided a death-penalty trial.
Memorial Ceremonies and Moments of Silence
This year’s observance focuses on remembrance.
A commemoration ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York, scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, is set to feature family members reading the names of those killed in the attacks.
Key Moments During Friday’s Ceremony
Organizers plan to hold seven moments of silence during the ceremony. Six correspond to key moments from September 11, 2001, while a newly added seventh recognizes people who have since died from illnesses and injuries linked to 9/11 exposure.
Americans are encouraged to pause at 8:46 a.m. Eastern time, marking the moment the first hijacked plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
The schedule for the moments of silence during the 9/11 commemoration ceremony is as follows:
- 8:46 a.m. ET: Flight 11 strikes the North Tower
- 9:03 a.m. ET: Flight 175 strikes the South Tower
- 9:37 a.m. ET: Flight 77 strikes the Pentagon
- 9:59 a.m. ET: South Tower collapses
- 10:03 a.m. ET: Flight 93 crashes near Shanksville, Pennsylvania
- 10:28 a.m. ET: North Tower collapses
- Seventh moment of silence honoring those who later died from 9/11-related illnesses and injuries
According to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the “seventh moment of silence will be observed at the conclusion of the reading of the names, and going forward will be a permanent part of the annual ceremony.”
Why It Matters
September 11 remains one of the most solemn dates on the American calendar. In late 2001, Congress designated the date as Patriot Day following the attacks on New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Since then, annual observances have included flying the American flag at half-staff and honoring those who lost their lives.
The 2026 commemoration is especially significant because it marks 25 years since the attacks, a milestone arriving as many younger Americans have no personal memory of the day itself.
This year, ceremonies and observances are centered on remembering the victims, recognizing survivors and honoring first responders, recovery workers and military personnel affected by the attacks and their aftermath.
What Is the Half-Staff Flag Protocol?
According to guidance published ahead of Patriot Day, the American flag is traditionally flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
Proper protocol calls for the flag to be raised to the peak briefly before being lowered to half-staff, then returned to the peak before it is lowered at the end of the day.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Shakeema Edwards.