24 years ago today, Lower Manhattan — and our city and nation — changed forever. And, as always, to mark the anniversary of 9/11 as well as to remember our neighborhood and city’s resilience and grit, look up in the sky tonight as the Twin Towers momentarily return to our skyline as two magnificent beams of light.
The twin beams are part of the city’s “Tribute in Light,” which was first presented in March of 2002 as a collective initiative by artists and designers to honor the countless lives lost and altered by the tragic events of 9/11. Every year since, on the anniversary of the attacks, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum sends up the twin beams just south of where the original buildings once stood. Comprising 88 7,000-watt light bulbs, they are the “most powerful shafts of light ever projected from Earth.” On a clear night, “Tribute in Light” can be seen within 60 miles of Lower Manhattan.
It’s one of our most cherished traditions, and a beautiful way to honor those lost on 9/11 as well as to reflect on how far we’ve come as a city in the two decades-plus since the attack on the World Trade Center. You can silently participate in the tribute by admiring the lights, or take a photo and post it on social media with a caption and your location. Be sure to tag the 9/11 Memorial & Museum (@911memorial) with the hashtags #RememberTheSky and #NeverForget911. Your post will be part of the museum’s annual digital memorial, which helps keep the memory of 9/11 alive for a new generation, sparking conversations about unity, resilience and hope.
photo: courtesy of Gary Hershorn
