It has been ten years since September 11, 2001 -- the tragic day when landmarks crumbled, thousands of innocent people died, and New York City and the world changed forever.
Every year, New York pauses to remember and mourn on September 11. In 2011, as the milestone of the 10-year anniversary of the attacks approaches, many of us feel the need to pay special tribute.
In New York City, there are many ways to mourn, remember, and give back on September 11, 2011.
You can mark the occasion with music, meditation, art, prayers, community service, dance, poetry, storytelling, and other rituals of remembrance.
1. Official September 11 Memorial Ceremony at Ground Zero
The official New York City ceremony to observe the tenth anniversary of September 11 will take place at the World Trade Center site on Sunday, September 11th, 2011 from 8:40 AM until 12:30 PM.
As in previous years, four moments of silence will be observed to commemorate the times when each plane hit and each tower fell, starting at 8:46 a.m.
Family members of those who perished in the attacks are invited to attend the ceremony and call the New York City Mayor's office at 212-442-8953 for more information.
- When: Sunday, September 11, 2011. 8:40AM-12:30PM.
- Where: Zuccotti Park, Liberty Street between Broadway and Church Streets
- More Information: Call 212-442-8953
2. September 11 Day of Service
September 11th has been designated by the US government as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.For this year's tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it seems only right to observe September 11th by helping people in need.
Take the MyGoodDeed.com pledge to honor the victims, heroes and volunteers of 9/11 and volunteer on the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Find 9/11 projects in New York City that need your help
Find out more about the September 11 National Day of Service and the MyGoodDeed campaign
- When: Sunday, September 11, 2011. All day.
- Where: Locations all over New York City
- More Information: Register online to participate
3. Faces of Ground Zero -- 10 Years Later
Visit Time Warner Center to see the photography exhibit Faces of Ground Zero – 10 Years Later, featuring more than 50 life-size portraits with new digital images and exclusive video interviews revealing where the heroes are today and how 9/11 affected their lives.
Admission is free and portraits are excerpted from the upcoming LIFE book, One Nation, America Remembers September 11, 2001, 10 Years Later.
- When: August 24-September 12, 2011.
- Where: Time Warner Center, The Shops at Columbus Circle
- More Information: Faces of Ground Zero -- 10 Years Later Photography Exhibit Review
4. Join the 9/11 Tribute Movement
Join the 9/11 Tribute Movement and share what you will do this year -- a good deed, charitable activity, or other plans -- to honor the 9/11 victims, survivors and those that rose in service in response to the attacks.
The goal is to post one million tributes online and complete one million acts of service. Your tribute will become part of the online Tribute Quilt.
Share your tribute by filling out a simple form and/or uploading a video or photo. You can dedicate your tribute to anyone you wish -- a loved one lost on 9/11, a first responder, a member of the military, or someone else you admire.
5. Hand in Hand Remembering 9/11
Join hands with thousands of others to form a human chain along the waterfront -- starting at the tip of Lower Manhattan and reaching as far north as possible. Organized by Manhattan Community Board 1, Hand in Hand -- Remembering 9/11 is a way to stand together to show resilience, unity and remembrance.
The human chain will form on Saturday, September 10th, 2011 at 8:46AM to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Participants can then visit Battery Park to post a message or memento on a Wall of Remembrance, portions of which will be displayed at the 9/11 Memorial Museum for years to come.
Downtown non-profits will also be hosting special community service projects throughout the neighborhood. Participation in the event is free, but you must pre-register to receive specific instructions.
- When: Saturday, September 10, 2011. Check-in opens at 7:30AM. Human chain will connect at 8:46AM.
- Where: Register to get directions to a check-in station along the waterfront in Lower Manhattan.
- More Information: Hand in Hand Remembering 9/11
6. National September 11th Memorial Dedication
The National September 11th Memorial will be dedicated on the ten-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The ceremony will be attended by President Barack Obama, Governor Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and other past and present leaders.
The Memorial Plaza will open to the public on September 12, 2011 and visitors are required to make reservations for a specific day and time.
The Museum Pavilion (at the northeast corner of the Plaza) and underground Museum will open on September 11, 2012.
- When: Open to the public September 12, 2011. Hours: M-F, 10AM-8PM. Weekends and holidays, 9AM-8PM. Last entry at 7 PM.
- Where: 9/11 Memorial Entry at the northeast corner of Albany and Greenwich Streets.
- More Information: 9/11 Memorial
7. September 11th Memorial Floating Lantern Ceremony
Join the Interfaith Center of New York for a Buddhist ceremony of peace and remembrance. Participants will prepare lanterns with loved ones' names and messages of peace, join together for interfaith prayer and meditation, and listen to music for reflection and Buddhist chants for the victims of 9/11 as well as the victims of the Japanese earthquake and the devastating tsunami.
- When: Sunday, September 11, 2011. 6PM
- Where: South side of Pier 40 on the Hudson River
- More Information: The Interfaith Center of New York
8. here is new york: Revisited
After September 11, 2001, Michael Schulan responded to the devastation by taping a photo of the World Trade Center to the window of a vacant storefront in his SoHo building. Soon, his friends contributed their own photos and the group issued an open call for New Yorkers to share their images of September 11.
New Yorkers from all walks of life -- including photojournalists, rescue workers, schoolchildren, and tourists -- shared their photos. The community's collective creative response became an exhibit of 5,000 images from 3,000 photographers.
Ten years later, The SVA presents “here is new york: Revisited,” an exhibition of 300 of the photographs shared after Septermber 11, 2001.
- When: September 6-17, 2011. Open Monday through Friday, 9am to 7pm, and Saturday, 10am to 6pm; closed on Sundays and public holidays.
- Where: Westside Gallery, 133/141 West 21 Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
- More Information: Call 212.592.2145. View all 5,000 submitted images and an exhibition timeline.
9. The September Concerts
The goal of the international September Concerts movement is to fill the skies with music every September 11.
In New York City, that means dozens of free concerts in locations in all five boroughs -- including landmark spots like Central Park, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Castle Clinton National Monument, Rockefeller Center, Washington Square Park, and many more.
- When: Sunday, September 11, 2011. All day.
- Where: See the listings for all NYC September Concerts locations
- More Information: The September Concert
10. Remember to Love: Trinity Wall Street 10th Anniversary of September 11 2001
Trinity Church, just blocks away from Ground Zero, was a refuge on September 11, 2001.
Each year since, the church has hosted a week of remembrance including concerts, prayer masses, the ringing of the Bell of Hope, and an all night vigil and labyrinth walk. For the ten-year anniversary of 9/11, the theme of Trinity's week of tribute is "Remember to Love."
- When: Sunday, September 4 through Sunday, September 11, 2011
- Where: Trinity Church, Broadway at Wall Street
- More Information: Trinity Church Remember to Love Event Schedule
