*GO LH has verified that this information is accurate as of Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. Please check Flight 93 National Memorial's website for updated information
On September 11, 2001, four commercial airliners were hijacked in a planned attack against the United States. Two airliners were flown into the World Trade Center Twin Towers and a third aircraft into the Pentagon. A fourth aircraft, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into an open field in the Laurel Highlands near the small town of Shanksville after the passengers and crew stormed the cockpit and hindered the plane from reaching its intended target, Washington, D.C.
Located in Shanksville, Flight 93 National Memorial is an educational memorial where you can learn about the 40 passengers and crew of Flight 93 whose actions of bravery are honored. For the 20th observance of September 11th, Flight 93 National Memorial will be hosting both virtual and in-person events that the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Tuesday, September 7 & Wednesday, September 8
"Never Forget": Teaching September 11 to Future Generations
Virtual Learning Session for High School Teachers
Virtual Learning Session for Middle School Teachers
High and middle school teachers who are interested in educating their students about the events of September 11 are invited to join these respective virtual learning sessions. Local educators will lead the one-and-a-half hour sessions, focusing on their own challenges of implementing the story of September 11 into their courses and their successes in turning it into a school-wide program.
Thursday, September 9
"Witness to History" Speaker Series
During "A Monumental Task": The Military and Civilian Air Response on September 11, 2001, panelists from Air Traffic Control, the Northeast Air Defense Sector and the Federal Aviation Administration will discuss their important roles in defending American airspace.
Friday, September 10
"Witness to History" Speaker Series
Learn about the creation and building of the Flight 93 National Memorial during this session of the speaker series. A few members of the team who made it all happen will share their stories along the long journey to make the memorial the profound, serene place of remembrance that it is today.
Luminaria Ceremony
During the annual Luminaria Ceremony, family members, distinguished guests and Friends of Flight 93 will light 40 candle lanterns and place one below the name of each Flight 93 hero along the Wall of Names. The Johnstown Symphony will play music to accompany the tribute.
Saturday, September 11
September 11 Observance
Although there will be an annual Observance event, it will be not be open to the public this year. The 90-minute observance will be livestreamed on the memorial's Facebook page. The 20th observance will include the reading of the names of the passengers and crew members at 10:03 a.m., the moment Flight 93 crashed, the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance and a wreath laying by the Wall of Names.
Tribute Memorial Concert
The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra will be performing Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” near the Wall of Names at 3 p.m. that is free and open to the public.
Sunday, September 12
"Witness to History" Speaker Series
On Saturday, the memorial will be hosting two speaker sessions at the Visitor Center Complex. The first is "Large Plane Down!': First Responders to Flight 93, featuring local first responders who will share their memories of arriving at the crash site for the first time and their connection to their colleagues in New York and Washington, DC. The second speaking engagement, "A Crime Scene": The Flight 93 Crash Investigation, will be hosted by two FBI employees who will discuss their role in uncovering what happened on Flight 93.
