September 11, 2001 is one of the most recognizable dates in modern history. Many people in the United States will be able to tell you what happened on that day: two planes flew into the World Trade Center in New York City, one more hit the Pentagon, and a fourth plane was en route to Washington D.C. before crashing into an empty field in Pennsylvania.

At the site of the World Trade Center, there are several rebuilt buildings, as well as a memorial and a museum commemorating the September 11th attacks. Almost every American has memories of and a connection to the attacks, whether they saw the attacks on TV, knew someone who was killed, learned about it in school, or have heard stories from those who were alive at the time.

Visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a good way to honor those who were killed.

Photo Wikimedia Commons: Nicolas Lh, adapted by Wandering Educators

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is located at the rebuilt World Trade Center Plaza. There are two reflecting pools in the middle of the plaza, located exactly where the Twin Towers were built. These two pools have water flowing down the sides and into a smaller basin in the center. Around both of these pools are the names of everyone who was killed in the attacks, from the victims in the towers and Pentagon to the plane passengers to the first responders who died attempting to rescue victims.

These reflecting pools are very sobering to see, and the combination of the vastness of the pools and the thousands of names surrounding the pools shows the viewer the true scope of the tragedy.

Between the two pools is the entrance to the museum. When you first enter the museum, you see two giant three-pronged steel beams that were part of the South Tower; they were salvaged from the wreckage. The beams are under an array of flags that represent the home countries of all the victims. 

Photo: Noor Mustafa George

When you go down the escalator and enter the exhibit, there is a walkway that goes over some of the exhibits in the Historical Exhibition. In this chamber, there are many salvaged pieces of the buildings, such as part of a broadcast tower and a fire truck used by first responders. 

There is also a large art installation that is made of squares of blue that are all different shades surrounding text that says “no day shall erase you from the memory of time.” There are 2,983 squares, one for each victim of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the September 11th attacks, and are all attempts by the artist, Spencer Finch, to remember what color the sky was on that day. 

Photo Wikimedia Commons: 颐园居

The second main exhibit is titled “In Memoriam.” This exhibition’s purpose is to honor the 2,977 victims of the September 11th attacks, as well as the 6 victims of the earlier bombing in 1993. In this exhibit, there is a photograph of each of the 2,983 victims of the attacks. There are recorded messages from friends and family about the victims, and the belongings of some victims. This exhibit really humanizes the disaster that was September 11th. 

It is incredibly moving to see snapshots of the victims’ lives, and to hear from the people who were directly affected by their loss. 

Photo Wikimedia Commons: AIGA NY

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a must-visit. While it is not necessarily a tourist attraction or a fun place to visit, it is incredibly important all the same. September 11th was a crucial moment in our history that many people are connected to; and even if you aren’t, the Memorial and Museum showcases the story of 9/11 in a way that will make any visitor feel the gravity of the attacks. 

The museum does a very good job of adding a human aspect to the attacks, instead of making it seem like an abstract event that happened years ago. Being able to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, learning more about the before, during, and after of the attacks, and honoring the victims and survivors was a somber and moving experience, and one that I would recommend to anyone visiting New York City.

Learn more: https://www.911memorial.org/

Noor Mustafa George is a sophomore at Nazareth University, and is double majoring in History and Museums, Archives, and Public History. They are from Rochester, New York. They enjoy studying Asian history, and in their free time, you can probably find them watching old Bollywood films or spending time with their cat, Moose.