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Reflecting on September 11, 25 Years Later
A quarter-century has passed since the September 11 attacks, an event that irreversibly altered the course of American history. On that day, al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four airplanes, with two crashing into New York’s World Trade Center, one hitting the Pentagon, and another plummeting near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 2,977 individuals. A study from Brown University also reports that subsequent post-9/11 military conflicts led to the deaths of 7,000 U.S. service members, with many others suffering from illnesses due to exposure to toxic debris. Today, Americans gather across the nation to remember and honor those lost.
New York City firefighters march Friday near the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Angelina Katsanis/AP
- 🎧 Seven moments of silence will be observed today, an increase from previous years, to honor those who died from post-9/11-related illnesses due to toxic air exposure in Manhattan. Recently, New York City released 170,000 documents indicating that officials were aware of the air’s toxicity but did not inform the public.
- ➡️ Rocco Fertoli, a former NYC Fire Department captain, shares his experiences from that day for the first time in an exclusive story.
- ➡️ U.S. intelligence underwent substantial changes post-9/11. Mary Louise Kelly from Sources & Methods interviews former national security leaders to understand the impact on America’s intelligence agencies.
- ➡️ NPR has assembled a collection of September 11 narratives, accessible here.
Political Dynamics at the Republican Convention
President Trump and Vice President Vance wrapped up the inaugural midterm Republican convention by rallying support for the upcoming elections. While Vance avoided discussing Trump’s pledge to issue $5,000 to every adult if Republicans maintain congressional control, Trump reiterated this promise. The next Republican convention is set for 2028, marking a shift in leadership as Trump exits the role of the party’s figurehead.
- 🎧 Vance portrays voting Republican as logical, a contrast to what he deems the extreme Democratic agenda. NPR’s Tamara Keith notes that while Trump appeared confident, the party’s standing post-convention remains uncertain. This event could symbolize Trump’s final significant impact as a political leader.
Legal Challenges to Missouri’s Redistricting
Missouri’s Republican-led redistricting map faced legal obstacles as both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Missouri Supreme Court intervened. The former blocked a federal order mandating the GOP map’s implementation, while the latter held Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in contempt for instructing the use of the map despite prior court orders. Consequently, Missouri will revert to the previous map used in the last two elections.
- 🎧 The map’s primary impact was anticipated on Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City district, with efforts made to connect urban and rural areas to unseat him. Cleaver commended Missourians for challenging the map. This situation is part of a wider national redistricting debate as midterms approach.
In the Background
The events of September 11 remain a defining moment in history, continuing to influence global affairs. National Security Correspondent Greg Myre reflects on the day, having been in Jerusalem when the attacks occurred. He quickly identified al-Qaida as suspects, based on prior reporting in Afghanistan. Myre’s subsequent travels to Afghanistan highlighted the country’s struggles and fleeting hopes for stability, which have since diminished. The Taliban’s resurgence, along with the prolonged conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran, underscore the ongoing complexity and repercussions of 9/11.
Weekend Recommendations
Clockwise from left, East of Eden, Neagley, Brothers, A Different World, Slow Horses and Cupertino. Geoffrey Short/Netflix; Sabrina Lantos/Prime; Apple TV; Daniel Delgado Jr/Netflix; Apple TV; Elizabeth Fisher/CBS
Explore what NPR is watching, reading, and listening to this weekend:
🍿 Movies: NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour reviews Filipiñana, highlighting its visual beauty and emotional depth.
📺 TV: Anticipated shows include adaptations of East of Eden, a reboot of A Different World, and a series with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. See what NPR critics are excited about.
📚 Books: In his memoir, The Perilous Fight, Colin Kaepernick reflects on his protest and its aftermath. Listen to his interview with Michel Martin.
🎵 Music: NPR’s New Music Friday features albums like Ezra Collective’s Here Because of Hope. Enjoy the curated playlist.
🧩 Games: Looking to avoid endless scrolling? Try these five daily puzzles that challenge your knowledge.
❓ Quiz: Test your knowledge with NPR’s news quiz and learn about procrastination with this Life Kit quiz.
3 Things to Know Before You Go
This fossilized feather dates back 66 million years to the late Cretaceous. “It is, without a doubt, the best feather we’ve ever found from the age of dinosaurs,” says Jingmai O’Connor, an associate curator at the Field Museum of Natural History. Nate Carroll
- A recently discovered fossil feather may provide insights into why some birds survived the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs, while others did not.
- The Bayeux Tapestry returns to England for the first time in 900 years, depicting the 1066 Battle of Hastings.
- The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz has announced 11 semifinalists for its International Jazz Vocals Competition, marking a record of international diversity. (via WRTI)
This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.
