Remembrance & Reflection on the Anniversary of 9/11

by Logan Brody • Published on September 8, 2026 • Last modified on September 2, 2026

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. As we reflect on the world-wide cultural and political changes this set in motion, including the nation’s 2021 withdrawal from the longest war in our country’s history in Afghanistan, how do we speak with our children about topics like peace, patriotism, tolerance, human rights, and responding to trauma as they relate to 2001 and today?

Families and educators can continue below for primary source materials and resources to help contextualize the events of 9/11 and its impact using videos, photos, lesson plans and more. Complement these resources with Watch & Wonder programming on Mountain Lake PBS to give further insight into, and in remembrance of, September 11th.

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Learn About 9/11

Activities for School & Home

Special Programming

Learn About the Impact of September 11th: Then & Now

Grades 6-12

What Happened on September 11, 2001

Explore what happened on September 11, 2001, the day of the deadliest terror attacks in U.S. history. Learn how four airplanes were used as weapons to target iconic American buildings and how brave individuals tried to thwart the attacks.

Grades 6-12

September 11, 2001: How the World Changed

Learn how the world changed after September 11, 2001. The United States experienced immediate disruption after the attacks, with economic losses and changes to everyday life. The War on Terror began one month after the attacks, and new government policies and intelligence programs led to domestic and international changes and consequences.

Grades 6-12

The Real Story Behind This Iconic 9/11 Photo | The Bigger Picture

Use this video from "The Bigger Picture" to dive deeper into United States history and media literacy concepts with students. In this lesson, students focus on the question “what makes a photo iconic?” in order to explore the constructed and intentional nature of media and reflect on how images can take on different meanings over time to different people.

Grades 6-12

The Effects of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on Major League Baseball

The terrorist attacks on 9/11 changed the country significantly. In addition to the nationally-felt human, political, security, and social implications, New York City’s atmosphere, sense of security, and economy changed drastically. Hear from Major League Baseball professionals and fans as they describe the after-effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including how the attacks altered the league and fans’ relationships with New York City teams.

Grades 6-12

September 11, 2001: Memorials and Remembrances

Learn how September 11, 2001, is remembered at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville and in communities across the country through memorials that honor those who died and that create spaces for contemplation and remembrance. The United States now observes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, a time when the nation collectively remembers the day’s tragedy and the acts of courage shown on September 11 and in the days that followed.

Grades 9-12

The White House Responds to 9/11 | FRONTLINE

Examine how the George W. Bush administration ultimately approved and implemented a secret and controversial surveillance program following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, in this media gallery adapted from FRONTLINE. Hours after the attacks, the White House initiated an unprecedented expansion of presidential powers based on Article II of the Constitution, including the creation of the National Security Agency (NSA), which was authorized to gather millions of Americans’ communications data and search it for suspicious connections.

Activities for School & Home

Grades Pre K-2

Meet the Helpers Collection

Many children have questions and can feel uneasy when emergencies occur in their communities. The Meet the Helpers toolkit is designed to introduce “helpers” and explain the role they play in emergency situations. Included in the toolkit are videos and hands-on activities that provide educators and families with developmentally appropriate resources for young children.

Grades 9-12

Newspapers as Primary Sources: Immediate Coverage of 9/11 | Interactive Lesson

In this short interactive lesson, designed as an activator activity, students analyze several newspaper front pages from September 11, 2001, to see the similarities and differences in how the terrorist attacks were immediately covered and to assess the value of newspapers as a historical primary source.

Grades K-5

The Tin Forest | Reading Rainbow Stories

Find out how a lonely man built the forest of his dreams from other people's discards in this inspiring story. LeVar Burton spends time with students at P.S. 234, located just blocks away from Ground Zero, and talks with them about returning to school after 9/11. The featured book, The Tin Forest, is read by actor Jeff Bridges. Students discuss their experiences and share messages of hope. After watching, use the provided classroom guide and discussion questions to further explore the topics covered in this book.

Grades 6-12

September 11, 2001: Tragedy, Courage, and Remembrance | Interactive Lesson

In this interactive lesson, students learn about September 11, 2001, and how the deadliest terror attacks in U.S. history changed the country and the world. Using videos, text, and images, students explore the day’s tragic events, how the nation and world responded, and how Americans remember 9/11 and the thousands who died.

Special Programming

friday, September 11, 4 PM

Generation 9/11

A feature-length documentary, “Generation 9/11” is an intimate film driven by the stories and personalities of its protagonists, who were born in the wake of a global tragedy which, for them, was also deeply personal. But it is also the story of an entire generation that has been shaped by the attacks and their aftermath.