Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when hijackers killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. Western PA was directly affected: one of the hijacked planes crashed into a field in Shanksville — around 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh — killing 40 passengers and crew members.
Venues in and around Pittsburgh are hosting musical performances, public art displays, memorials, and other events honoring those who lost their lives.
Flight 93 National Memorial
The official Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County will host an observance starting at 8:30 a.m. with a reading of the names of all passengers and crew members. A ceremony at 1:00 p.m. includes remarks, music, and wreath-laying. Forty candlelit lanterns will be placed at the Wall of Names during a luminaria ceremony at 7:30 p.m., and a column of light will illuminate the night sky until midnight. Visitors can observe sidewalk chalk portraits of every passenger and crew member throughout the day. All events will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Carnegie Mellon University
A single bagpiper will play at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:36 a.m., and 10:03 a.m. — the times at which planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the field in Shanksville. The performance is at the 9/11 Memorial Tree on Carnegie Mellon’s campus, planted in remembrance of the seven CMU alumni who died.
University of Pittsburgh
Pitt students, faculty, and staff can meet at the on-campus Recreation and Wellness Center for a stair climb from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Working in waves, participants will climb a total of 2,200 steps to symbolize the approximately 110 stories first responders climbed in the Twin Towers.
Forest Hills
The borough is hosting a commemoration honoring first responders. The event starts at 4 p.m. at Westinghouse Lodge, coinciding with the Friday farmers market, and includes a picnic, award ceremony, and concert featuring local high school musicians and the Balmoral Highland Pipes and Drum Band.
Byham Theater
On Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m., the Cultural District will host a live music, storytelling, and theatrical performance called Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story. Hear Bill Spade, an FDNY first responder, and Jaymes Poling, a combat veteran of the War in Afghanistan, relive their experiences of the attacks and the war that followed — accompanied by a jazz band and visual elements.
