News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Toll of Commuting
Fair or Mostly Sunny
69°
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Toll of Commuting

Remembering 25 years ago at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Officials say the museum doesn't just serve as a reminder, but a way for a new generation to never forget.

Julia Burns

Sep 7, 2026, 7:21 AM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

If you ask any New Yorker where they were when the first plane hit the twin towers on September 11, 2001, they remember it like it was yesterday.

“I was across the river in Brooklyn. I was watching on TV what was going on here. And it was unavoidable. The realization that important things were happening around us. Tragedy was occurring because of what had happened, and that the world had changed," said director of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Clifford Chanin.

Chanin says the museum doesn't just serve as a reminder, but a way for a new generation to never forget.

“It's all well and good for people of a certain age like me to say we will never forget because we never will. But if we talk to young people who have nothing to remember, therefore nothing to forget. It's critical that we bring them the story, because that's how they will remember and commit themselves to never forget," said Chanin.

The museum opened in May 2014. Now, the mission of the museum also takes on visitors who weren't there to experience it.

"We have that technology in relation to 9/11 and the archive and documents created on that day. The power of that material I don’t think is going to fade overtime," said Chanin.

Chanin says the museum doesn't just preserve what happened, but also what happened next. 

“New York City was determined to come back. There was terrible pain. There was anger. It represents the commitment of people to take that blow, to grieve, to mourn, to remember, but to move forward as well. And the museum, as I said, is a symbol of that resilience," said Chanin.

For more information on the 9/11 memorial and museum you can go to their website.

Top Stories

02:34
972026WCttt_2026-09-07-07-16-37

'9/11 didn't end on 9/11.' Civilian cancers now outpace first responders

01:33
NJ 4

Wonderful Labor Day conditions will extend beyond the holiday

hit and run

Motorcyclist seriously injured in hit-and-run crash in Monroe

02:04
Screenshot 2026-09-07 065753

Toll of Commuting: A hands-on look at where the Hudson Tunnel Project stands

02:07
972026WCjulia911_2026-09-07-07-14-21

Remembering 25 years ago at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

00:32
Screenshot 2026-09-07 065726

Dog missing for more than 30 days finally reunited with family

01:35
Butterfly Rescue MS 1008_2025-10-08-17-18-43

Plant THESE in your butterfly garden in September (They are irresistible to pollinators!)

01:49
972026LItennis_2026-09-07-06-31-16

From the stands to the court: US Open fans get chance to play tennis

01:30
972026LIcostof_2026-09-07-06-30-57

The Cost Of: Renting vs. Owning

00:36
769

NJ GOP calls for Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell's resignation amid investigation into misconduct, ethics allegations

02:35
MTNJMadeinNJ0811_2025-08-11-18-11-13

Made in New Jersey: Jetty surf brand brings Jersey Shore spirit nationwide

02:12
RTNJSpeedingCrackdownBrickCQueally10pm_2026-09-06-22-13-00

Brick considers new speed restrictions following teen's hit-and-run death

01:53
LaborDayNewarkAirportTravel_2026-09-06-17-05-05

Labor Day weekend brings millions of travelers through Newark, other area airports

00:24
BayonnePigeonsUpdate_2026-09-06-17-13-37

Bayonne says bird rescue efforts set back after netting is cut

02:03
ArtistReclaimsCreativity_2026-09-06-17-17-14

He lost his eyesight, but not his vision: New Jersey artist uses AI to create again

HandcuffsLights

NJ man charged with DWI, endangering child after McDonald’s employees call police

00:24
Elizabeth Fire Sunday TN

Woman injured after jumping from 3rd floor of burning Elizabeth home

alert center

Deadly replacement air bags may not show up in VIN recall searches, NHTSA warns

Photos and other items from Grover Cleveland-s presidency.

Grover Cleveland Presidential Library in Caldwell expands public hours

00:22
edwin sisalema guananga mugshot blur

Brooklyn man charged after 2 Palisades Park officers injured during arrest

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices