7th Moment of Silence Added to 25th Anniversary Commemoration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 12, 2026

9/11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM ADDS MOMENT OF SILENCE TO 25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION, HONORING THOSE LOST TO 9/11 HEALTH EFFECTS

New York, NY –  Today, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum announced that a new moment of silence, honoring all who have died from the health effects of 9/11 and its aftermath, will be added to the annual commemoration ceremony. For the past 24 years, the commemoration of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has included six moments of silence to 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. Since 9/11, thousands of first responders, rescue, recovery and relief workers, and lower Manhattan community members have died from 9/11-related illnesses. This seventh moment of silence recognizes and honors their service and sacrifice.

“The 9/11 attacks caused devastation that extended far beyond that single day. In the aftermath, the heroism and spirit of our city and nation inspired the world — but over the years, tens of thousands of first responders, construction workers, volunteers, and survivors have become ill and tragically, many have died. As we mark the 25th anniversary, adding this moment of silence ensures that we never forget every life lost on that day and in the years since,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, Chairman of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

“The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is dedicated to telling the story of 9/11 as it unfolded that tragic day and in the 25 years since. Educating a new generation about those who have grappled with and died from the health effects that followed the attacks is central to our mission. This moment of silence affirms our commitment and helps us remind those too young to remember of the selfless service inspired by the attacks,” said Beth Hillman, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

“As the Chief Medical Officer of the FDNY, I saw firsthand the devastating toll of 9/11 on first responders and survivors. These heroes spent the days and months after 9/11 doing critical search, rescue, and recovery work that exposed them to a toxic chemical mix. We’ve lost far too many to cancer, respiratory issues, and other 9/11-related illnesses. Today, thousands continue to struggle with 9/11 related illnesses and the number of responders and survivors developing severe 9/11 related illnesses continues to grow. This new moment of silence is a fitting tribute to these heroes whose sacrifice, dedication, and commitment to public service will never be forgotten,” said Dr. Kerry Kelly, former FDNY Chief Medical Officer and 9/11 Memorial & Museum Trustee.

"After 25 years, the new tradition of ringing a seventh bell during the 9/11 commemoration ceremony reminds us that the echoes of September 11th never truly faded. Long after the smoke cleared and the skyline healed, thousands continued — and continue — to carry the invisible weight of that day within their bodies. This bell tolls for the past, honoring the thousands of men and women lost to 9/11-related illnesses; for the present, standing strong with the 152,000 people currently enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program; and for the future, acknowledging the lives that will still be claimed in the years ahead. With each ring, we recognize that the cost of 9/11 did not end in a single morning, but lives on across generations in sacrifice, in suffering, and in remembrance,” said John Feal, 9/11 responder and advocate and Bridget Gormley, advocate and daughter of FDNY Fire Fighter William Gormley deceased from 9/11 illness.

“For 25 years, this community has carried the memory of those we lost – including my husband, David – with love, devotion, and an unwavering sense of purpose. We have also witnessed extraordinary courage: from the first responders, rescue and recovery workers, and the Lower Manhattan community, whose strength in the aftermath of 9/11 helped lift a broken city. This new moment of silence is a meaningful tribute to their service, sacrifice, and resilience. We will never forget those we lost, and we remain steadfast in the sacred work of remembrance,” said Paula Grant Berry, 9/11 Family Member and 9/11 Memorial & Museum Trustee.

Currently, there are six moments of silence observed throughout the 9/11 commemoration ceremony:

• 8:46 AM - Observance of time hijacked Flight 11 struck the North Tower
• 9:03 AM - Observance of time hijacked Flight 175 struck the South Tower
• 9:37 AM - Observance of time hijacked Flight 77 struck the Pentagon
• 9:59 AM - Observance of time of the fall of the South Tower
• 10:03 AM - Observance of time hijacked Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania
• 10:28 AM - Observance of time of the fall of the North Tower

This new, 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.

In the aftermath of the attacks, hundreds of thousands of men and women from across the nation and around the world responded and participated in the rescue, recovery, and relief operations in New York City; Arlington, Virginia; and Somerset County, Pennsylvania. At Ground Zero, it was an unprecedented operation first to search for victims and then to remove nearly two million tons of debris alongside fires that burned for over 100 days, leaving those who responded exposed to hazards and toxins that resulted in chronic illnesses and the death of thousands. 

On May 30, which marks the 24th anniversary of the formal end of recovery operations at Ground Zero, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will hold its annual ceremony that commemorates this milestone and honors the courage and sacrifice of 9/11 rescue, recovery, and relief workers, commemorating those who have died due to 9/11-related illnesses and injuries, and recognizing the spirit of survivors and members of the downtown community.

In 2019, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum dedicated the 9/11 Memorial Glade, a space on the Memorial plaza that honors first responders, rescue and recovery workers, lower Manhattan residents, survivors, and those who have died or are suffering from health-related issues as a result of the attack.

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ABOUT THE 9/11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM
A quarter century after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is the country’s principal institution concerned with exploring 9/11, documenting its impact, and examining its continuing significance. This mission is advanced through commemoration, education, and inspiration. Located on eight of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center site, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum remembers and honors the 2,983 lives lost on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. Through exhibitions, a wide variety of programs, and commemorative events, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum seeks to educate the public – particularly the 100 million Americans born since the attacks or those too young to remember – about the consequences of terrorism and its impact on individuals and communities. Through preserving and sharing stories of resilience, compassion, and service, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum hopes to inspire individuals to build a more compassionate and secure world.

For more information or to reserve a ticket to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, please visit 911memorial.org.

MEDIA INQUIRIES
Garrett Levine | (954) 464-4015 | press@911memorial.org