National September 11 Memorial & Museum

A quarter century after the September 11, 2001 attacks, 100 million Americans are too young to remember the day that changed our city and nation forever. It is our shared promise — made 25 years ago — to never forget so those born after 9/11 learn its significance and enduring legacy.

We invite you to remember, reflect, and learn with us — at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in lower Manhattan, through our many online programs, or by acting in your own community.

Learn more about plans for the upcoming 25th anniversary: https://ow.ly/yb7l50ZfP6S

While he did not know much about soccer, Michael Quilty coached his daughter’s school team to spend time with her. In 1996, the team signed this soccer ball to celebrate their first season. Five years later, on September 11, Lieutenant Quilty responded to the World Trade Center with Ladder Company 11. He was 42 years old.

This soccer ball is now part of “The World’s Game: Soccer and 9/11” at the , which explores the ways soccer brought people together after 9/11.

Access is included with your Museum ticket. Purchase your ticket today: https://ow.ly/4WCC50ZcgGj

In less than three months, we will lead our nation — and the world — in marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a commemoration that is itself a defining moment in American history. In the spirit of patriotism, resilience, and strength, we invite you to remember, reflect, and learn with us — at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in lower Manhattan, through our many online programs, or by acting in your own community. https://ow.ly/TSRS50ZeUxo

In the aftermath of 9/11, from fundraising matches to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where the U.S. made a surprise quarterfinal run, soccer served as a special space for remembrance, resilience, and love of country. The global soccer community, as it so often has, rallied to support those most affected by the attacks. With the 2026 World Cup taking place just miles from Ground Zero, our timely installation "The World's Game: Soccer and 9/11" explores the ways the game helped heal and bring our nation and the world together. Through August only.

Keith Walcott, Jr. grew up in Jersey City, watching his dad play softball with Port Authority Police Department colleagues, listening to their stories. The bravery of those men and women awed him, and he was proud that his father, Keith Walcott, Sr., was one of them.

Keith Walcott, Sr. responded to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing as part of the PAPD evacuation team. After 9/11, he participated in the rescue and recovery effort at Ground Zero.

This , take a moment to read the Walcotts' story about the ways a father inspired his son to follow in his footsteps and join the PAPD to serve something bigger than himself.

As we approach the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum remains committed to preserving and sharing stories like these. Your support makes that possible—ensuring that the sacrifices, acts of service, and personal stories that define this history continue to educate and inspire future generations.

Read Keith's story and explore more voices from the next generation at https://ow.ly/Cw5550Zct56

As we prepare to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and 250 years of American independence, the new installation "Our Flag Was Still There" showcases the ultimate symbol of all this country proudly stands for. Including United States flags associated with 9/11 and the events that followed, as well as the personal flags of those involved with rescue and recovery efforts, the installation aims to inspire a new generation with the resilience and strength these artifacts have always represented.

Pictured: Fragment of the American flag recovered by paramedic Antonio Suarez at Ground Zero while assisting survivors and searching for victims on September 11 and 12, 2001.

American flags lining the Memorial parapet, each representing the unique stories of those killed on 9/11 and the shared values that define our response to the attacks and their legacy: courage, strength, unity, service, and patriotism.

Born in Stamford, Connecticut, Christoffer Carstanjen lived in Turner Falls, Massachusetts. A computer research specialist at the University of Massachusetts, he was also a trained chef. Carstanjen spent his free time riding his motorcycle, a 1998 Honda PC800. On 9/11, he boarded Flight 175 in Boston to join fellow bikers for a ride up the coast of California. Carstanjen was 33 years old.