25 years ago, the world changed forever. Nearly 3,000 people were killed after a series of coordinated terrorist attacks across the United States on September 11, 2001.
Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in Manhattan, while a third hit the Pentagon, outside Washington DC. The fourth had an unknown target in the nation’s capital but passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft and it crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
On the 25th anniversary of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in human history, celebrities shared their solemn tributes to the lives lost and the emergency workers who worked tirelessly to save others.
Kelly raised her children in NYC with her husband Mark Consuelos
Kelly Ripa
25 years ago, Kelly Ripa was on air on Live! with Regis and Kelly with her co-host, Regis Philbin. The morning show host honored those who lost their lives with a video of New York City a building with a digital American flag and RayCharles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
SJP is an iconic New Yorker
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker, best known for her New York City based show Sex and the City, shared a video of the lights beaming up from One World Trade, with the caption: “September 11th, 2026. 25 years. We never forget. I love NY. Forever. And ever. X, SJ.”
The former first couple attended the 25th ceremony
Barack and Michelle Obama
Seven years before he was elected president, Barack Obama was living in Chicago with his wife Michelle Obama. The two political figures shared a beautiful statement to Instagram, “If you were young in 2001, or weren’t even born yet, it can be hard to imagine what 9/11 felt like. The shock of that beautiful, cloudless morning. The heartbreak of the families whose loved ones were taken with such swiftness and cruelty. The realization that the forces of malevolence and violence were closer, and the future less certain, than we knew.”
The statement went on: “Today Michelle and I are remembering those we lost that day, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the wars that followed. We pray for their families. And we hope Americans everywhere remember the true lesson of 9/11: that we can survive even our darkest days as long as we move forward as one nation and one people.”
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Andy Cohen
Andy Cohen, the Watch What Happens Live host, shared a photo of his seven-year-old son Ben wearing an FDNY shirt with the simple caption: “Never Forget.”
Katie co-hosted the TODAY Show for 15 years
Katie Couric
The former TODAY Show host, Katie Couric, was on air with co-host Matt Lauer when the planes struck the towers. She remembered the horrific day with a video of her reporting and the caption: “25 years. It seems impossible to believe”
“For me, it was the most important professional morning of my life. I have never felt a greater sense of responsibility and believe I never will,” she continued. “To the families left behind. Twenty five years later, I am in awe of your strength, your resilience, and your commitment to honor those we lost and to find the will to keep going. To both remember…and create a new life for you, your families, and this city.”
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Zac Posen
Fashion designer Zac Posen shared a photo of the lights from One World Trade, shared a memory of his day 25 years ago, writing: “That morning I woke in a friend’s bedroom after a late night. We heard a plane flying too low. Something wrong in the sound of it. We turned on the TV.
“Most of this city is doing something else entirely today, and doing it fast, the way we always do, he added. “Whatever you’re running toward, stop for a minute. Think about the people we lost. Never forget.”
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Lara Spencer
The Good Morning America journalist was six months pregnant with her son Duff Haffenreffer on September 11, 2001. Lara Spencer remembered the horrible day with a photo of herself, taken two days after the attack, reporting from Lower Manhattan.
“This picture was taken 2 days later on 14th street as families posted pictures anywhere they could hoping someone-anyone-might have some information about their loved one,” she wrote. “My heart still breaks thinking of those families-desperately holding onto hope. I will never forget.”
Savannah was just 29 on September 11, 2001
Savannah Guthrie
Savannah Guthrie, the TODAY Show anchor who is spending the 25th anniversary covering the ceremony honoring the lives lost, posted a simple, somber photo of One World Trade with the caption: “Remembering…”
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George Bush
George Bush was visiting an elementary school in Florida when the 9/11 terrorist attacks happened. Soon after, the entire nation looked towards him to lead them through the horror. 25 years later, the former president is 80 years old and focusing on his painting. He reflected on the attacks with paintings of his own, which will be on display at The George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas during September.
The ceremony included performances of both US and UK National Anthems
The Royal Family
King Charles and Queen Camillapaid tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11 with a commemorative Guard Change at Buckingham Palace. Earlier this year, Their Majesties paid their respects at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, as part of the State Visit to the United States.
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George Stephanopoulos
George Stephanopoulos covered the attacks 25 years ago for ABC. The former advisor to Bill Clinton posted a clip of his coverage to Instagram, writing: “25 years ago today I took the subway downtown to cover the attacks on the World Trade Center. The world would never be the same. Never Forget.”