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9/11 Museum Adds 7th Moment of Silence for Illness Victims
13 May
Summary
- A seventh moment of silence will honor victims of 9/11-related illnesses.
- Over 9,000 people have died from illnesses linked to the World Trade Center site.
- Cancer cases tied to exposure have risen dramatically since 2015.
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has announced a significant update to its annual commemoration ceremony. For the upcoming 25th anniversary and all future observances, a seventh moment of silence will be introduced. This solemn addition is dedicated to honoring the lives of those who have tragically succumbed to illnesses linked to their exposure at the World Trade Center site. This marks a shift from the previous six moments of silence, which commemorated the timings of the plane impacts and tower collapses.
The decision underscores the profound and enduring impact of the 9/11 attacks. According to the World Trade Center Health Program, over 9,000 individuals have now died from 9/11-related illnesses, a number nearly three times greater than those lost on September 11, 2001. The rise in cancer cases directly tied to this exposure has been dramatic, escalating from 3,200 in 2015 to an estimated 53,000 by 2026. This new moment of silence aims to ensure that the sacrifices and suffering of first responders, survivors, and others affected are permanently remembered.
