Today, September 11th, 2026, marks the 25th Anniversary of the September 11th (‘9/11‘) attacks in the United States (U.S.) and of Operation Yellow Ribbon.

On this date in 2001, four flights were hijacked after departure (American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the Word Trade Centre, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania while it is believed was targeting the White House or Capitol.)

Both the North and South Towers collapsed, along with other buildings in the area. Almost 3,000 people will killed in the attacks and over 6,000 (estimates range up to 25,000) people in the years afterwards due to diseases, injuries, etc. from the attacks.

Flight 93, which departed late from Newark, New Jersey, was the only one of the four planes not to hit its’ target thanks to the delayed departure which allowed other passengers to hear about the other attacks and overpower the hijackers and causing the plane to crash in a field. While everyone aboard passed away, who knows how many other lives they saved by their actions.

Because of the hijackings, U.S. airspace was shut down. Canada took many diverted planes in what became known as ‘Operation Yellow Ribbon.’ The top three airports to take diverted flights were Halifax International Airport in Nova Scotia (47 flights and 7,300 passengers), Gander International Airport in Newfoundland (38 flights and 6,656 passengers), and Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia (38 flights and 8,500 passengers.)

Operation Yellow Ribbon turned Gander, Newfoundland from a small community in an island province into an international celebrity.

Al-Qaeda would ultimately take responsibility for the attacks.

The world would change that day. Security was tightened at airports, mistrust became more common place, etc. The U.S. would lead an international military action in Afghanistan in order to try and find the culprits behind the attacks.

So, today on the 25th anniversary of the attacks, let us remember all the innocent people who lost their lives on this day, including those in the Twin Towers, on the airplanes, in the Pentagon, and all the first responders who died or were injured trying to save others.