Friday, September 11, 2026

9/11 was 25 years ago. For many Americans, it feels like yesterday

Also: The story behind the iconic Ground Zero photo. Here's what you need to know Friday. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
Friday, September 11

The Daily Briefing

 

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Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001?

For many Americans, it was 25 years ago, but also yesterday — searing memories remain vivid 25 years later.

I remember the stress of my teachers at school, my classmates being picked up early, and my parents being distraught when I got home that afternoon.

For others, they remember who told them, whether it was Katie Couric on the "Today" show or a loved one on the phone. They remember the fear and confusion as they watched the country's deadliest act of terrorism unfold.

We asked Americans to share their memories of Sept. 11, 2001. Their stories reveal how a single day continues to echo across generations.

As we mark this anniversary, here's what you need to know today:

The annual 9/11 ceremony will be held this morning in NYC. These presidents will be in attendance.
There will be a seventh moment of silence during today's ceremony. Here's who it honors.
It is not a federal holiday, though there have been efforts by Congress to observe it as such.

Media Tour Of New Springsteen Museum

Firefighters George Johnson, Dan McWilliams, and Billy Eisengrein raise an American flag atop a pile of debris at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan hours after the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001. THOMAS E. FRANKLIN/The Record

The story behind the iconic 9/11 flag-raising photo

The exposure lasted just 1/640 of a second.

There was no reason for photographer Tom Franklin to think his photo of firefighters attempting to raise the American flag would become anything more than one photograph among the hundreds taken at Ground Zero that day. But for 25 years, his image has lived on in the hearts and minds of millions and has become part of the visual history of one of the darkest days in American history.

It has appeared on a U.S. postage stamp that raised more than $10 million for victims of the attacks. It hangs in museums, resides in the Library of Congress, and could be found in firehouses, classrooms, government buildings, and homes across the country.

And while the photograph hasn't changed, Lower Manhattan most certainly has.

Exclusive: A former NYPD pilot recently revealed unseen aerial photos he took on 9/11.

And: The "Falling Man" photo remains controversial 25 years later. We spoke to the photographer who took it.

Keep scrolling for more. Thank you to those who reached out to me about our subject line glitch yesterday; I was happy to hear from you and appreciate your patience. I'll be back in your inboxes next week 👋.

Have feedback for me? Shoot me an email at mmsullivan1@usatodayco.com; I’d love to hear from you! Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here to get it in your inbox daily.

 

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DON'T MISS

Their lives forever changed on 9/11. They were too young to know it

John Bocchi was the father of four boys, ages 9, 7, 3 and 3 months, when he was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.

John Bocchi was the father of four boys, ages 9, 7, 3 and 3 months, when he was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.  Provided by Matthew Bocchi

They might remember very little or nothing at all of the loved ones they lost on 9/11, but as adults, they're more aware of what they miss.

 

KEEP READING

What you need to know today

From “SNL” to “Friends,” see how TV, music and pop culture gave Americans space to grieve, escape and eventually laugh again after 9/11.

Candles place and repeatedly lit over days after 9/11 flicker over the landscape of Union Square Park Between 14th and 18th Streets and Broadway and Park Avenue. Even around 1 a.m., the park is filled with people drawn to the candles.     Mourners and protestors have gathered continuously at the park since the terrorist attacks.

What's the difference between a campaign promise and a bribe? Experts explain the possible legal issues around the latest idea for a 'Trump Dividend.'

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures on stage at the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas, U.S., September 9, 2026. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare

USA TODAY takes a look at some of the facts and figures behind the tragedy of Sept. 11 and its aftermath.

Photo illustration by

Menopausal women have struggled to find estrogen patches for months. Now the Food And Drug Administration is helping, but women say it's not enough.

Jennifer Weiss-Wolf is the author of the upcoming <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="link" href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Menopause-Users-Manual-Citizens-ebook/dp/B0FZL3NK8G">"When in Menopause: A User's Manual &amp; Citizen's Guide."</a>

Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001? From Gen Z to the Silent Generation, Americans told USA TODAY about their memory of 9/11.

An unidentified New York City firefighter walks away from Ground Zero after the collapse of the Twin Towers September 11, 2001 in New York City. The World Trade Center's Twin Towers and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists using commercial airliners as missiles.

From “SNL” to “Friends,” see how TV, music and pop culture gave Americans space to grieve, escape and eventually laugh again after 9/11.

Candles place and repeatedly lit over days after 9/11 flicker over the landscape of Union Square Park Between 14th and 18th Streets and Broadway and Park Avenue. Even around 1 a.m., the park is filled with people drawn to the candles.     Mourners and protestors have gathered continuously at the park since the terrorist attacks.

What's the difference between a campaign promise and a bribe? Experts explain the possible legal issues around the latest idea for a 'Trump Dividend.'

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures on stage at the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas, U.S., September 9, 2026. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare

USA TODAY takes a look at some of the facts and figures behind the tragedy of Sept. 11 and its aftermath.

Photo illustration by

Menopausal women have struggled to find estrogen patches for months. Now the Food And Drug Administration is helping, but women say it's not enough.

Jennifer Weiss-Wolf is the author of the upcoming <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="link" href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Menopause-Users-Manual-Citizens-ebook/dp/B0FZL3NK8G">"When in Menopause: A User's Manual &amp; Citizen's Guide."</a>

Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001? From Gen Z to the Silent Generation, Americans told USA TODAY about their memory of 9/11.

An unidentified New York City firefighter walks away from Ground Zero after the collapse of the Twin Towers September 11, 2001 in New York City. The World Trade Center's Twin Towers and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists using commercial airliners as missiles.
 

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