Today, most of the civilised world will remember and commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 11th September 2001 terrorist attack on the New York World Trade Centre Twin Towers, the Pentagon attack in Arlington County, Virginia, and the downed domestic flight in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on that fateful morning.  A total of 2,977 people lost their lives in those attacks, not counting the 19 terrorist hijackers. Since that day, more than twice as many people have died after suffering numerous diseases related to the dust and smoke produced by the collape of the Twin Towers, and new health problems are still emerging.  The long-term effects of the people caught up in the catastrophe, and the many thousands of emergency workers and rescue volunteers who tried to help are still becoming clear.

Taking off between 07:59 and 08:42 that bright morning, four American commercial flights were hijacked by terrorists affiliated with al Queda.  American Airlines flight 11 was used to hit the North Tower of the World Trade Centre.  Just as CNN was Breaking News about the 'accident', United Airlines flight 175 slammed into the South Tower, caught on camera.  It was only then, following the initial accident, it became crystal clear this was a terrorist attack.  Later, the Pentagon was hit with the American Airlines flight 77, as all passenger flights were grounded.  United Airlines flight 93 then crashed in fields near Shanksville, as passengers tried to take back control of the hijacked plane, after hearing of the three previous attacks.  It was believed that UA flight 93 was heading towards the White House or the Capitol in Washington DC.  Sadly, none of the hijacked passengers or crew survived that morning. 

Only fifty-six minutes after being hit, the South Tower of the WTC collapsed, sending plumes of smoke, dust and debris across the surrounding Lower Manhattan area.  St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was completely destroyed as the South Tower collaped.  Twenty-seven minutes later, the North Tower collaped in an equally dramatic fashion.  Hundreds of workers and first responders were trapped inside as both towers collapsed.  Hours later, although not directly hit, Building 7 of the World Trade Centre collapsed.

Time Line of the 9/11 attack

•  North Tower of WTC hit:  08:46 - by AA flight 11 Boeing 767             South Tower of WTC hit:  09:03 - by UA flight 175 Boeing 767
•  Pentagon in Virginia hit:  09:37 - by AA flight 77 Boeing 757              Plane crash in Shanksville:  10:02 - UA flight 93  Boeing 757
•  South Tower 2 collapses:   09:59                                                        North Tower 1 collapses:  10:28  
•  WTC Building 7 collapses:  17:20

A National 9/11 Memorial and Museum is now located on the former World Trade Centre complex, that includes twin reflecting pools (each an acre in size) and feature the largest man-made waterfalls in North America.  Prior to its opening in 2011, on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Memorial underwent a multi-year process to verify and arrange the names that would be inscribed into the Memorial's bronze parapets.  The 'Tribute in Light' is a commemorative public art installation that both honours those killed in the Twin Towers attack that tragic day and celebrates the unbreakable spirit and soul of New York and its population.

One World Trade Centre building was officially opened on 3rd November 2014.  The new tower, along with the rest of the WTC complex, replaced the Twin Towers and surrounding complex that were destroyed by the terrorist attacks on 11th September 2001.

St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, relocated to Liberty Park, was eventually replaced, redesigned, and consecrated on 4th July 2022.  The church fully opened for regular services on 6th December 2022, the Feast of Saint Nicholas.

The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with memorial ceremonies in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.  At the National 9/11 Memorial in New York, family members of the victims read out the names of the more than 2,700 people that died in the city that day.  Seven bells were rung this year, four to commemorate the exact times that each of the four planes crashed, two to mark the exact times that the Twin Towers fell, followed by a moment of silence, and one (new this year) to honour those who have died of 9/11 related illnesses since.  In a ceremony to honour the 184 people killed when American Airlines flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, President Trump said "We will never, ever forget".  Later that day, a memorial was held in Shanksville, where hijacked UA flight 93 crashed into a field after passengers and crew attempted to take back control of the plane.