U.S. honors 10-year anniversary

Nearly 10 years ago, the United States of America experienced a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center that destroyed the Twin Towers, damaged the Pentagon and affected the entire nation. This Sept. 11, there will be activities and events held in all states to commemorate the anniversary of this incident, including significant events in key cities, such as New York City and Washington, D.C.

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One important event is the dedication and opening of The National September 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center in New York City, which will take place on Sept. 11 and 12, respectively. According to the 9/11 Memorial website, an accompanying Memorial Museum will also be open to the public sometime in September of 2012.

“The 9/11 Memorial is located at the site of the former World Trade Center complex in lower Manhattan, and occupies approximately half of the 16-acre site,” according to the 9/11 Memorial website. “The 9/11 Memorial features two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the twin towers.”

In Washington, D.C., activities will be taking place at various locations within the city. The Washington National Cathedral is hosting an event entitled “Call to Compassion,” which will present several activities throughout the weekend of Sept. 9 through 11, including concerts, an Interfaith Prayer Vigil and other commemorative events.

“In the days following the 9/11 attacks, our nation came together to pray, reflect, and mourn,” according to the Call to Compassion website. “Washington National Cathedral was honored to serve as the spiritual home for our nation during those tragic, uncertain times. Now, a decade later, we come together again to remember the victims and heroes of 9/11, as well as the nearly 6,000 service members whose lives have since been lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Countless other events are taking place within the Washington, D.C. region, including special 10th anniversary commemorative activities for victims of 9/11 and their families at the Pentagon Memorial, according to The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial website. Many cities across the nation are hosting races, concerts, activities and interfaith gatherings, among a myriad of other events, to honor the memory of those who were injured or died during the attack that took place 10 years ago, Sept. 11, 2001.