9/11 memorial news: Biden lays wreath at Pentagon as Trump teases 2024 run
Family members of victims read the names of those who died during the attacks
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Joe Biden visited the Pentagon to attend a wreath laying ceremony with First Lady Jill Biden. The president spent the majority of Saturday attending memorials, first at Ground Zero in New York, then at the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and finally at the Pentagon in Washington DC.
Mr Biden praised former President George W Bush’s speech during an unannounced stop at a Shanksville, Pennsylvania fire department. Mr Biden commended Mr Bush for encouraging American unity, calling it “a genuinely good speech, about who we are, we’re not.” He went on to say that “he core of who we are is not divided, it’s just this notion of, I don’t know how to explain it.”
Former President Donald Trump did not visit Ground Zero Saturday to attend the 20th anniversary ceremony commemorating the 9/11 terror attacks. He did release a video earlier in the day attacking Joe Biden for the Afghanistan troop withdrawal, and later visited an NYPD precinct where he visited with police officers. During his visit to the police precinct he hinted that he would run for president again in 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President George W Bush addressed families at the United Airlines Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a memorial recognises passengers who brought down the plane after learning two others had been used to attack the World Trade Center in New York on 11 September, 2001.
An earlier ceremony at the site of the World Trade Center collapse in New York City recognised the victims who were killed, as the names of the nearly 3,000 victims were read aloud over several hours. Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton also attended the ceremony.
Remembering Jon Stewart’s blistering condemnation of Congress over 9/11 first responders’ healthcare
Last year, former Daily Show host Jon Stewart testified at the US Capitol on behalf of 9/11 first responders who were struggling with their healthcare needs nearly 20 years after the terror attacks.
The Independent’s Clémence Michallon reported Mr Stewart’s fiery speech and examined the difficulties 9/11 first responders encountered while seeking treatment for the ailments and injuries they incurred from the attack.
Jon Stewart gives blistering address on veterans healthcare protections
Stewart has also campaigned for healthcare protections for 9/11 first responders
A widow whose husband was the pilot of one of the planes hijacked on 9/11 recounts her memories of the day
A widow whose husband was one of the pilots whose plane was hijacked on 9/11 recounts her memories of the terror attacks 20 years ago.
“As Victor’s plane struck, we realised we were a nation at war,” Ellen Saracini told The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe.
Read the story below...
Widow of 9/11 pilot recalls watching hijacked jet being flown into World Trade Center
Ellen Saracini tells The Independent aviation safety campaign continues 20 years after attacks
Let’s roll: Remembering Todd Beamer, one of the heroes of Flight 93
Todd Beamer is best remembered for a humble rallying cry he gave to fellow passengers on Flight 93 before they retook the plane from the 9/11 hijackers who planned to use it as a weapon 20 years ago.
The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander examines who Mr Beamer was and recounts the events that led to the retaking of the plane, and ultimately his death.
Who is Todd Beamer? The hero of Flight 93 who almost certainly saved the US Capitol
His exhortation of ‘Let’s roll!’ became a rallying cry
Firefighters who responded to the 9/11 attacks are 13 per cent more likely to develop cancer, study claims
A recent study found that firefighters who responded to the 9/11 terror attacks 20 years ago are 13 per cent more likely to develop cancer due to their exposure to carcinogenic chemicals at Ground Zero.
The Independent’s Helen Elfer dives into the study and its implications for the firefighters who raced to rescue people from the crumbling towers and wreckage following the attacks.
Firefighters from 9/11 attacks are 13% more likely to get cancer: study
Rescue and recovery workers were exposed to a ‘toxic environment’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle change their foundation website to commemorate 9/11
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dedicated the website for their Archewell foundation to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Indy/Life’s Kate Ng looks at the change in her story below.
Harry and Meghan transform Archewell site to pay tribute to 9/11 victims
Foundation’s website lists names of those who died in memoriam
Taliban raise flag over presidential palace
While much of the world is marking the anniversary of 9/11 and mourning those who died, the Taliban have raised their flag over the presidential palace in Afghanistan, marking their formal return to government.
The awkward juxtaposition of the flag-raising taking place on the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks has underlined the failure of the American-led intervention in Afghanistan to dislodge the Taliban, who had harboured the terrorists who had masterminded 9/11.
In a low-key ceremony, the new prime minister of the Taliban interim government Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund hoisted their white banner emblazoned with a verse from the Quran.
In contradiction of promises made to the international community, the new Taliban government inaugurated in Kabul since the US-backed president Ashraf Ghani fled, is comprised of all men and includes as interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is close to al Qaeda and wanted by the FBI on terrorism charges.
Ending our live coverage
This will be the end of our live coverage of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. You can see the key moments throughout the day above. Thank you for following along with us.
Former President George W Bush highlighted domestic terror in his 9/11 speech
Former President George W Bush’s remarks at the Flight 93 memorial during the 20th anniversary commemoration of the 9/11 terror attacks highlighted the rising threat of domestic terrorism in the US.
Mr Bush warned that “dangers can come not only across borders but from violence that gathers within.”
The Independent’s Alex Woodward digs into the former president’s statement in the story below...
Bush underscores threats posed by domestic terror in 9/11 memorial speech
Former president condemns ‘malign forces’ in his appeal to nation unity during Flight 93 memorial
Donald Trump to attend boxing match in Florida on 20th anniversary of 9/11
Donald Trump will attend a boxing match in Florida tonight where he will provide ringside commentary in the bout between David Haye and Evander Holyfield. He will be joined by his son, Donald Trump Jr.
The Independent’s Helen Elfer looks at Mr Trump’s plans and critic reactions below...
Trump to spend 9/11 anniversary as commentator at casino boxing match in Florida
The former president’s plans were described as ‘disgraceful’
Fashion company faces backlash for social media post capitalising on 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks
The Pretty Little Thing fashion company faced backlash Saturday for a social media post that featured the Twin Towers behind pink text saying “Never Forget” with 9.11.01 beneath.
Critics lashed out at the company’s use of 9/11 in a branded post.
Indy/Life’s Kate Ng digs into the controversy below...
Pretty Little Thing faces criticism over ‘branded’ 9/11 tribute
Post made for 20th anniversary of terror attacks in New York City described as ‘bad taste’
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