9/11 Memorial | An Homage to the Spirit of New York

The 11 September 2001 attacks were a series of 4 coordinated attacks by terrorists against the United States. It resulted in 2977 deaths, over 25,000 injuries and significant long-term health consequences to people, and is considered one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history. Read on to learn about the 9/11 Memorial which was built to honor the people and rescuers who lost their lives on that fateful day.

What is the 9/11 Memorial?

The 9/11 memorial is a monument dedicated to the 2977 people killed in the 11 September 2001 attacks and the 6 individuals killed in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. The memorial is located at the site of the World Trade Center and aims to capture the void left by this unimaginable loss of life due to the attacks.

There are two pools almost an acre in size each that lay where the former North and South World Trade Center towers once existed. They are also the largest manmade waterfalls in North America.

About 9/11 Museum

Why visit the 9/11 Memorial?

The 9/11 Memorial honors the nearly 3000 lost souls in the 1993 and 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Find the names of 2983 people who lost their lives in the devastating attacks.
Discover the Survivor Tree, a single Callery Pear tree that survived the 2001 attacks and is now the symbol of perseverance.
See the Memorial Glade that also honors the thousands of survivors who were affected, even to this day, by toxins from the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
Watch the night sky illuminated by the Tribute in Light that symbolizes the undying spirit of New York City on every anniversary of the attacks.

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What does the 9/11 Memorial symbolize?

The design of the beautiful manmade waterfalls of the 9/11 Memorial was named Reflecting Absence by the architects Micheal Arad and Peter Walker. The pools represent the visibility of absence with the water continuously flowing into the central void in each fall, but they can never be filled. They symbolize a piece of the city and culture that was lost in these tragic incidents.

The waterfalls are placed on the footprints of the North and South towers that once stood strong. Each name on the memorial is arranged using the system of meaningful adjacencies, because of which, the names of colleagues and friends appear together. The family members of the victims were also invited to request the names of their loved ones to be inscribed alongside others they remembered.

9/11 Ground Zero

The competition for the 9/11 memorial design

The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation launched the World Trade Center Site Memorial Competition in 2003 for a memorial in dedication to the lives lost during 9/11. Eight finalists were selected from 5201 entries from 63 nations across the world. *Reflecting Absence *designed by Peter Walker and Michael Arad from Handel Architects was chosen as the winning design.

Design of the 9/11 Memorial

The 9/11 memorial’s focal points are the two pools, which are nearly an acre in area and are present at the footprints of the north and south towers. The pools are home to massive 30 feet tall waterfalls that fall into a square basin. The water drops a further 20 feet into a central void. These pools represent “absence made visible”; despite water flowing into the voids, it can never be filled. The sound of falling water makes this a tranquil place that seems completely isolated from the rest of the city.

The names of the 2983 people who were killed in 1993 and 2001 are inscribed on the edge of the memorial pools on bronze parapets. The names are grouped together based on the circumstances and the locations where the victims found themselves during the attacks. The North Pool contains the names of the people who were killed at the North Tower, and the South Pool includes the names of those killed in the South Tower as well as the first responders.

9/11 Memorial Glade

The 9/11 Memorial Glade is dedicated in the honor of the hundreds of thousands of survivors, responders, residents, and workers who were exposed to the toxins in the air around the World Trade Center site. These individuals suffered and continue to suffer from chronic illnesses that have resulted in the death of thousands.

The Glade was opened on the 30th of May, 2019, exactly 17 years after the end of the recovery efforts. The Glade is located to the west of Survivor Tree, approximately at the location where the primary ramp for the rescue and recovery operations once stood.

The Glade features a pathway that is flanked by six monoliths that weigh between 13 and 18 tons. These monoliths incorporate steel that comes from the World Trade Center site.

9/11 Memorial Glade

Survivor Tree

The Survivor Tree is a single Callery Pear tree that was discovered by rescue workers in October 2001 at Ground Zero. The New York City Park and Recreation Department helped remove the tree from this site, and slowly nursed it back to health. Since it survived the 9/11 attacks, it went on to be called the Survivor Tree. The tree was returned to the site of the World Trade Center in 2010 and currently stands as a symbol of perseverance and resilience.

9/11 Survivor Tree

Survivor Tree seedling program

Launched on 11 September 2013, the 9/11 Memorial gives seedlings from the Survivor Tree to three communities every year. These communities have usually endured great loss and tragedy in the form of terrorism, violence, or natural disasters.

In 2021, the three communities were the World Health Organization, for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Fe High School, for the killing of 8 students and 2 teachers in 2018, and the Norway communities of Oslo and Utoya, for the 77 people who were killed by a gunman.

9/11 Memorial today: Tribute in Light

First shown 6 months after the attack and then every year on 9/11, Tribute in Light is a public art installation that commemorates and honors every soul that was killed in the September 11 attacks. The night sky is illuminated by the skylights on the pool to celebrate the unbreakable spirit of the people of New York City.

The twin beams reach up to 4 miles in the sky, mimicking the shape of the two towers that once stood. On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Museum & Memorial partnered with NYC & Company to light up the buildings throughout the city to light up the night sky for a Tribute in Light.

Controversies Around the 9/11 Memorial

Mohammad Salman Hamdani

Mohammad Salman Hamdani was a Pakistani American who served in the New York Police Department as a cadet and medical technician. Initially believed to have been involved with the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks, the suspicion was eventually proven to be false and he was hailed as a hero by the mayor and police commissioner. An intersection in Bayside in Queens was also named in honor of Mohammed Hamdani.

Arabic brochures

The memorial’s brochures were translated into 10 different languages, but Arabic was not included in them. The ADC (American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee) questioned this decision through a letter to the directors of the memorial. In 2015, a complaint was lodged by the ADC with the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development. Finally, in December 2017, the ADC announced that a settlement was reached and that the commemorative guide would be translated to Arabic.

Plan your visit to the 9/11 Memorial

Where is the 9/11 Memorial located?

Address: The National September 11 Memorial Museum, 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007, United States. | Find on Maps

Closest landmark: FDNY Memorial Wall (480 meters)

What are the 9/11 Memorial Opening Hours?

General Timings: 9am to 8pm

Open Days: Monday to Sunday and select Tuesdays

Closed Days: The 9/11 Memorial site is always open.

Duration of visit: We suggest that you set aside 30-45 minutes to walk through the memorial.

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Frequently asked questions about the 9/11 Memorial

Who designed the 9/11 Memorial & Museum?

The Memorial was designed by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, featuring twin pools with cascading waterfalls. The Museum was designed by Davis Brody Bond, incorporating steel remnants from the Twin Towers and other powerful artifacts.

What are the must-visit spots at the 9/11 Memorial?

Don't miss out on going to the Twin Reflecting Pools and Survivor Tree at the Memorial.

What can I see inside the 9/11 Museum?

The 9/11 Museum houses historical exhibits like a detailed timeline of the attacks and their aftermath, memorial exhibits where you can see the personal artifacts, photographs, and tributes to victims, along with the Survivor Stairs.

How long does it take to explore the 9/11 Memorial & Museum?

Admission into the 9/11 Memorial is free at all times.

Can I take photos inside the Museum?

Yes, non-flash photography is allowed in most areas. However, certain exhibits may have restrictions to maintain a respectful atmosphere.

Can I visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum on 11 September?

On 11 September, the Memorial remains open to the public, but the Museum is reserved for 9/11 families. Special commemoration events are held at the site.