HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Events in Jersey City and Hoboken will mark 25 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, with ceremonies honoring the more than 2,900 people who were killed and the first responders who risked their lives.
More than 50 Hoboken community members died in the attacks, said to be the largest number in any New Jersey zip code.
Thirty-nine Jersey City community members died that day as well.
Many others in these cities across the river watched in horror as their friends, family, first responders, or roommates were lost in the attacks.
On that day, nineteen al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four airplanes, flying two into New York City's World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon. Passengers fought back on the fourth flight, United Flight 93, which crashed near Shanksville, Pa. The deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil killed 2,977 victims.
While larger observances will be held at the three sites in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa., towns and cities around New Jersey are holding events.
Locally, they include:
Local Events
Hoboken: The public is invited to attend the City of Hoboken's annual September 11th Memorial Service on Friday at 5 p.m. This year the city will partner with the Hoboken Italian Festival, as well as the Hoboken Clergy Coalitionm to honor the 56 Hoboken residents who were lost.
The ceremony will also highlight the work of, and feature speakers from, the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. It will take place at the eastern end of Pier A Park, overlooking the Manhattan skyline and the World Trade Center site, which is a different location than recent years. The pier is located at 100 Sinatra Drive, and is next to the Hoboken Train Terminal plaza.
Jersey City: Jersey City will hold their annual event on the Hudson River waterfront at the 9/11 Memorial. The events will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The city said, "join us as we honor the sacrifice and bravery of the Jersey City Fire Department, Jersey City Police Department, EMS, and everyday Jersey City residents. As we mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, we will remember the lives lost and thank the heroes who put their lives on the line to care for others." The memorial is reachable via Grand Street. More details are here.
The state of New Jersey held its own memorial a day early at the Empty Sky sculpture at Liberty State Park.
Toll Continues To Grow
The toll has continued to grow. Thousands of survivors, first responders and people who lived, worked or attended school near the attack sites have developed cancers and other illnesses linked to toxic exposure during the rescue, recovery and cleanup.
As is traditional, the names of the 2,977 people killed in the 9/11 attacks and six others who died in the 1993 World Trade Center attack will be read at a ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Manhattan.
Four former presidents — Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — are expected to attend the 25th-anniversary ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City.
President Donald Trump is not expected at Ground Zero, as he will be at the Pentagon. Vice President JD Vance will represent the administration in New York.
The ceremony will be livestreamed. That evening, the annual Tribute in Light will send twin beams into the sky, accompanied this year by a one-hour national broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC, Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic and ABC News Live.
Trump will attend the 9/11 observance at the Pentagon, where 184 people were killed when American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and flown into the structure
Defense and military leaders traditionally gather for a ceremony centered on the memorial's 184 illuminated benches, one for each victim.
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