Flight 93 legacy turns to a new generation
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Sunrise lights the memorial bells at the Flight 93 Memorial on Sept. 11, 2025. Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images
Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 attacks, families and visitors will gather in Somerset County on Friday to remember the 40 passengers and crew members who died aboard United Flight 93.
Why it matters: This year's observance focuses on carrying Flight 93's lessons to younger generations — who only know about it from history books, social media and family stories — while preserving Southwestern Pennsylvania's place in the nation's remembrance of 9/11.
- Younger people will play a prominent role this year, including performances by the Somerset County Youth Chorus.
By the numbers: Over 100 million Americans were born after 9/11, per the New York Times.
Flashback: Al-Qaeda hijackers seized United Airlines Flight 93 about 46 minutes into its flight from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco — one of four commercial airliners hijacked that day.
- Hijackers turned the plane toward Washington, D.C. Investigators believe the U.S. Capitol was the likely target.
- After learning of the other attacks by phone, passengers and crew made a collective decision to storm the cockpit and try to retake control. The plane crashed in a field near Shanksville at 10:03am, killing everyone on board.
Today, the Flight 93 National Memorial preserves the crash site, with a visitor center, memorial plaza, Wall of Names, Tower of Voices, and the Field of Honor.
Zoom in: The 25th anniversary brings two days of commemorations.
- Friday's observance begins at 8:30am near the Wall of Names. Family members will read the names of those aboard Flight 93 before the Bells of Remembrance ring and a wreath is laid at 10:03am.
- A second ceremony from 1–2:30pm is expected to include remarks from Gov. Josh Shapiro, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Gordon Felt — whose brother Edward was aboard Flight 93.
- Twenty artists will create chalk portraits of those who died — the display will remain at the visitor center through Sept. 20, weather permitting.
Find the full schedule of events here and watch the livestream here.