The 9/11 Memorial and Museum, located in New York, US, is a profound tribute to the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing in February 1993. The memorial consists of two reflecting pools, each nearly an acre in size and featuring the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. These pools sit in the footprints of the original Twin Towers.
The names of every person who died in the 2001 and 1993 attacks are inscribed into bronze panels edging the Memorial pools. This design, created by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker, was selected from a global design competition that attracted over 5,200 submissions from 63 countries.
The 9/11 Museum itself is located beneath the Memorial Plaza. It provides a comprehensive narrative of the events of 9/11 through multimedia displays, archives, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts. Among the most poignant is the "Last Column," a 36-foot high steel column that was the final piece removed from Ground Zero during cleanup efforts.
The museum's foundation hall houses a portion of the original slurry wall, a surviving retaining wall of the World Trade Center that withstood the attacks. This space also includes the "Survivors’ Stairs," which provided an escape route for hundreds of evacuees.
A lesser-known fact about the 9/11 Memorial is that it is also a registered arboretum named the Memorial Glade. It is home to over 400 swamp white oak trees, symbolizing resilience and hope. One of these trees, known as the Survivor Tree, was rescued from the rubble of Ground Zero and nursed back to health before being replanted at the Memorial.
The Memorial and Museum also incorporate advanced security and sustainability features. The plaza is built atop a complex infrastructure that includes a train station, a shopping mall, and a massive underground cooling plant. The waterfalls are designed to recycle rainwater, contributing to the site's eco-friendly operations.
The Foundation Hall displays a quote from the ancient Roman poet Virgil:
"No day shall erase you from the memory of time."
This quote is constructed from steel remnants of the original World Trade Center.
Furthermore, the museum offers a range of educational programs and resources, including the annual observance of the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It serves as a place of reflection, remembrance, and education, ensuring that the legacy of those lost and the bravery of the responders are never forgotten.