The Special Holiday Tributes Left on the 9/11 Memorial

  • December 22, 2020
A red flower and pine needle bouquet left on the 9/11 Memorial parapet at night.
Photo by Amy Dreher

For as long as the 9/11 Memorial has been open, family members, loved ones, and visitors have left physical objects—what we call “tributes”—at a victim’s name to honor his or her memory.

During the holidays, visitors will leave tributes in the form of flowers and photos, and even more practical items, like gloves and cold-weather gear, that one might give to a loved one during the holiday season.

  • A tiny red-wrapped present left on the 9/11 Memorial parapet at night.
  • A black glove, sleigh bell, and red rose left on the 9/11 Memorial parapet at night.
  • Two red roses left on the 9/11 Memorial parapet at night.
Photos by Jin S. Lee and Amy Dreher

This simple act of remembrance speaks to the thoughtfulness of our visitors whose displays of creativity help us all to honor the lives lost on February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001. You can see more tributes that have been left on the site and were later accessioned into our collection.

On Christmas Day, the 9/11 Memorial Museum will be closed, but the 9/11 Memorial will remain open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and we encourage visitors to offer a personal gesture of remembrance.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

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