Southern Californians joined people across the nation Friday in remembrance of those who died a quarter-century ago in the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
The attacks unfolded when 19 men hijacked four commercial planes bound for airports in California: American Airlines Flight 11, flying from Boston to Los Angeles International Airport; United Airlines Flight 175, flying form Boston to LAX; American Airlines Flight 77, flying from Washington Dulles to LAX; and United Airlines Flight 93, leaving from Newark for San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Two of the planes crashed into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York City, causing both to eventually collapse. A third flew into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed into a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers realized what was happening and courageously fought back, storming the cockpit.
The plane was approximately 20 minutes from Washington, D.C. The passengers’ act of heroism likely saved lives in the nation’s capital.
Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, most at the World Trade Center site.
In the wake of the attacks, stories of despair and courage emerged as search-and-rescue teams desperately looked for victims in the rubble of buildings. The FAA grounded all civilian flights, security measures were dramatically heightened and a grieving nation came to grips with a world forever changed.
Below, Southern Californians reflect on that day 25 years ago and how the events changed their lives forever.
Editor’s Note: More videos will be added as they become available.
A somber tradition continues 25 years after the 9/11 attacks. John Cádiz Klemack reports for the NBC4 News on Friday Sept. 11, 2026.
An Orange County father continues to honor his daughter, who died on Sept. 11, 2001. Hetty Chang reports for the NBC4 News at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2026.
Friday is the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Conan Nolan speaks with four members of the Los Angeles Fire Department Search and Rescue Team, which responded following the attack at the World Trade Center.
Lisa Frost was killed in the terror attacks 25 years ago this week. Hetty Chang reports for the NBC4 News on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026.
9/11 remembrance ceremonies in Los Angeles County
- Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore joined other public safety officials at the LAFD’s 25th annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, one of several events across the county marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The 9 a.m. Friday ceremony at the LAFD Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, 1700 Stadium Way, will also include LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna and Los Angeles County Fire Deputy Chief Robert Harris. The ceremony will include the ringing of the 10 Bells, bagpipers and a helicopter flyover.
- Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Andrés E. Chait joined students and staff at Pacoima Middle School, 9919 Laurel Canyon Blvd., for a 9 a.m. ceremony. The event will include performances by the Pacoima Singers and a walk-by reflection display featuring hundreds of American flags.
- In Malibu, Pepperdine University held its annual Waves of Flags commemoration at 9 a.m. at Alumni Park, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway. Nearly 3,000 flags will be displayed — one for each victim of the attacks, including national flags representing foreign countries whose citizens were killed. The Waves of Flags tradition was started by Pepperdine students in 2008. Senior Vice Chancellor Hung Le and students are expected to participate in Friday’s ceremony.
- At 10 a.m., FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy joined FBI employees, former special agents and other guests for a remembrance ceremony at the FBI’s Los Angeles offices, 11000 Wilshire Blvd. The ceremony will honor the victims of the attacks and those who served. During the week leading up to the anniversary, FBI Los Angeles employees participated in a Memorial Stair Climb honoring firefighters who climbed the World Trade Center stairwells during the attacks and a Walk of Honor in which participants completed 2,977 laps around the federal building, one for each person killed on 9/11.
- The FBI also held a blood drive with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and American Red Cross as part of the anniversary observances.
- In Santa Monica, firefighters, city officials and public safety personnel gathered at Fire Station 1, 1337 Seventh St., for the city’s annual remembrance ceremony. The station is home to a steel artifact recovered from the World Trade Center site that is permanently displayed outside the Fire Department’s community room.
- Hermosa Beach will hold its annual remembrance and wreath-laying ceremony at 7:30 a.m. at the city’s 9/11 Memorial, where the Greenbelt meets Pier Avenue. Mayor Mike Detoy and community members will deliver remarks, while the Hermosa Beach Police Department Honor Guard and Scouts Troop 860 will post the colors. Elected officials and police and fire representatives will place wreaths at the memorial, which includes a piece of steel recovered from Ground Zero.
- In San Gabriel, firefighters and police officers gathered at Fire Station 51, 1303 S. Del Mar Ave., where a remembrance ceremony will begin at 6:45 a.m. The ceremony will include a procession, flag ceremony and traditional bell tribute. Miniature American flags bearing the names of fallen first responders will line the station’s front lawn. The ceremony will be coordinated with the Verdugo Fire Communications Center, allowing fire stations throughout the San Gabriel Valley to participate in a regional tribute.
- The Alhambra Fire Department held a ceremony at 9 a.m. at Fire Station 71, 301 N. First St. The event will include the posting of colors by the Alhambra Police Department Honor Guard, an invocation and tolling of the bell.
- At 9:11 a.m., student cadets from Southeast Academy High School led a ceremony at John Glenn High School Football Stadium, 13520 Shoemaker Ave. in Norwalk. The event included a student-led flag-folding ceremony, remarks by Southeast Academy Program Director Master Sgt. Marty Schafer and a performance of the national anthem by Southeast Academy alumnus, Marine Corps veteran and R&B singer-songwriter Elliott McKenzie.
- Carson will hold a 25th anniversary tribute from 4 to 6 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot, 701 E. Carson St. Acting Assistant Fire Chief Wade Kelsey will deliver the keynote address, and the city will recognize a dozen local residents for community service.
- In Beverly Hills, Friday evening will also mark the beginning of Rosh Hashana at the Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd. Jill Pila, whose husband, Jim Gartenberg, was killed at the World Trade Center, will speak during an 8 p.m. service with Rabbi David Baron. Pila’s daughter, Nicole Gartenberg Pila, who was 2 1/2 years old when her father was killed, will accompany her.
- A day after the anniversary, first responders and their families will gather Saturday at the Rose Bowl, where an on-field flag ceremony before UCLA’s 4:15 p.m. football game against San Diego State will honor those who responded to the Sept. 11 attacks.