American University will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks through a series of programs designed to remember those whose lives were lost and forever changed, reflect on the historical and continuing impact of 9/11, and serve the broader community. Together, the events provide opportunities for learning, remembrance, interfaith reflection, dialogue, and service.
25 Years Later: Remember. Reflect. Serve.
The university's commemoration theme reflects three interconnected goals:
Remember: Honor the lives lost, survivors, first responders, families, and communities affected by the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Reflect: Create space for historical context, dialogue, interfaith reflection, and consideration of the enduring civic, political, and global consequences of 9/11.
Serve: Recognize service, care for others, and community responsibility as meaningful ways to honor the legacy of September 11.
September 11 Commemoration Events Schedule
| Date | Program | Description | Sponsor | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, September 10, 7:00-8:00 p.m. | A 9/11 Remembrance Event with Joseph C. Daniels | The Kennedy Political Union will host Joe Daniels, founding president and CEO of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, for a conversation reflecting on 9/11 twenty-five years later. Daniels brings a perspective shaped by leading through intense public scrutiny while building one of the nation’s most significant civic institutions. The program will explore leadership under pressure, remembrance, terrorism, democratic resilience, and the lessons institutions can draw from moments of extraordinary challenge. | Kennedy Political Union | Mary Graydon Student Center MGSC 128 |
| Friday, September 11, 8:30 a.m. | Mass with AU Catholic | A Catholic Mass offering members of the AU community an opportunity for prayer and remembrance on the 25th anniversary of September 11. | AU Catholic | Kay Spiritual Life Center - The Chapel |
| Friday, September 11, 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | September 11 Flag-Placement Activity | Members of the AU community will place flags on the Quad in remembrance of those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001. This reflective activity will provide a visible, shared space for remembrance, service, and community reflection throughout the day. | Kay Spiritual Life Center | Eric A. Friedheim Quadrangle 5 |
| Friday, September 11, 12:00 p.m. | Service of Remembrance | Hosted by the Kay Spiritual Life Center, this interfaith gathering will honor those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001. The service will offer the AU community a reflective space for remembrance, unity, and hope on the 25th anniversary of the attacks. | Kay Spiritual Life Center | KSLC Forecourt |
| Friday, September 11, 3:00-6:00 p.m. | Tracing the Impact of 9/11 Forever Wars: From 2001 to the Present | SIS commemorates the anniversary with a discussion on the launch of US-led Forever Wars: How do we reckon with the legacies of war, surveillance, detention, displacement, and Islamophobia? Join scholars, advocates, and community voices for a conversation examining the human, political, and social impacts of the Forever Wars, and the stories too often left out of official remembrance. | Department of Peace, Human Rights and Cultural Relations | SIS Founders Room |
| Monday, September 14, 6:00-7:00 p.m. | 9/11 Remembrance: AU Athletes Service Event | The Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, in partnership with AU Athletics and Athletes for Hope, will gather AU student-athletes to assemble essential care kits for a local nonprofit supporting neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness. The event connects the legacy of September 11 with service, community responsibility, and care for others. | AU Athletics; Center for Leadership and Community Engagement; Athletes for Hope | Bender Arena |
| Tuesday, September 15, 6:00-7:30 p.m. | Counterterrorism Since 9/11 Through the Eyes of Practitioners | Terrorism is a complex thing involving criminality, politics, geography, individual psychology and social movements. To mitigate the harm caused by terrorism, governments have invested to varying degrees in diplomatic, law enforcement, military and public health solutions. They have sought to prevent people from ever joining terrorism movements, disrupt terrorist networks once they have formed through intelligence led military and law enforcement actions, protect targets from attacks through layered defenses, and help communities recover in the aftermath of attacks. Over the past twenty-five years, this multifaceted community has experienced tremendous growth, maturation and change. In this panel discussion hosted by the School of Public Affairs, we will hear first-person accounts of the professional journeys of several counterterrorism practitioners as they have navigated this complicate landscape. | JLCS | Kerwin Hall, Room 301 |
Exclusive Offer for AU Students
Come From Away
September 10 - October 18, 2026
Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C.
$20 student tickets for select performances with promo code AUAway
Thanks to the generous leadership of Anita McBride and Tim McBride, Executive-in-Residence at AU, students can experience the Tony Award-winning Come From Away at an exclusive student price.
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