From ABC News · ABC News · · 2m
Three presidents, one morning at ground zero
Obama, Biden and Bush stood together in lower Manhattan as New York marked 25 years since the attacks.
In brief
Obama, Biden and Bush stood together in lower Manhattan as New York marked 25 years since the attacks. A quarter century on, the 9/11 ceremony is still where former rivals share a row of chairs and the country checks in on its own grief. Originally reported by ABC News.
Three presidents show up
Barack Obama, Joe Biden and George W. Bush attended Friday morning's 9/11 ceremony in New York City, each with their wife beside them.
“Former presidents attend NYC ceremony for 9/11 anniversary”
Twenty-five years on
The date was September 11, 2026, the quarter-century mark. The ceremony ran at the same morning hour the first plane hit.
The reflecting pools
Cameras held a long live shot of the memorial pools where the towers stood, water falling into the footprints all morning.
“View of the reflecting pool in NYC on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks”
Trump went to the Pentagon
The sitting president marked the day at the other attack site in Virginia, splitting the official commemoration across two cities.
“President Trump heads to the Pentagon for 9/11 25th anniversary”
Families press for answers
Some relatives of victims used the New York ceremony to call on Trump to hold the Saudi government accountable, a fight they have carried for years.
“Some 9/11 families call on Trump to hold Saudis accountable during NYC ceremony”
The names, again
Families gathered at ground zero, on the Pentagon lawn and in Shanksville for the readings that anchor every anniversary, including Flight 77 and Flight 93.
“Families to gather for ceremonies marking 25th anniversary of 9/11”
A skyline made of drones
A tribute lit the Manhattan skyline with drones tracing the shape of the Twin Towers, a newer echo of the twin light beams.
“David Muir shares 9|11 tribute of drones illuminating NYC skyline with Twin Towers”
Survivors still telling it
The last survivor pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center spoke publicly, and a son described carrying on the work of a father who got people out of the South Tower.
“Last survivor rescued from rubble of WTC speaks out”
The damage that kept going
Coverage returned to the health toll on responders and survivors, plus the security posture that now surrounds ground zero on every anniversary.
“Health impacts and security measures at Ground Zero”
A day kids have to be taught
Most students now alive were born after 2001, so parents and teachers are explaining the attacks rather than remembering them together.
“Explaining 9/11 to kids, their parents and teachers”
The main idea
A quarter century on, the 9/11 ceremony is still where former rivals share a row of chairs and the country checks in on its own grief.
