As America marks its 250th anniversary, the president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is reflecting on how the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks continue to shape the nation two and a half decades later.
Elizabeth L. Hillman told Fox News Digital that this year's milestone coincides with the 25th anniversary of 9/11, connecting past and present in meaningful ways for visitors to the museum.
"This year, America's 250th birthday coincides with the 25th anniversary of 9/11, which means that what's happening at our site is very much connected to the history of the country and to the recognition of this important milestone," Hillman said. "9/11 is an important part of our nation's history, but especially now as the nation turns 250."
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates for 9/11 families and first responders emphasize the ongoing need to support survivors who continue to face health challenges from exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. Organizations representing victims' relatives say commemoration must go hand in hand with ensuring those affected receive adequate care and compensation through programs like the Victim Compensation Fund.
Some progressive voices argue that remembering 9/11 should include reflection on the policy decisions made in its aftermath, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which cost trillions of dollars and thousands of American military lives. Critics say these choices reshaped foreign policy for decades and merit examination alongside acts of heroism and resilience.
"The museum has an opportunity to present a full accounting of what happened that day and its consequences," said one advocacy group focused on government transparency. "That includes the attacks themselves, the response, and the long-term impacts on families, veterans, and American foreign policy."
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators and veteran advocates point to themes of resilience and national unity as the defining legacy of 9/11. They highlight how Americans came together after the attacks, how military personnel answered the call to service, and how the nation ultimately achieved justice with the killing of Usama bin Laden.
"There's nothing like 9/11 to help people realize, given how the nation has recovered since, that it is possible to persevere, to heal, to recover, even in the face of really unfathomable loss," Hillman said. "That's what 9/11 has the chance to teach us."
Republican lawmakers who serve on committees overseeing veterans' affairs have championed efforts to ensure first responders and military personnel receive recognition and support. The museum's decision to offer free admission to veterans this fall has drawn praise from conservative advocacy groups focused on military families.
"The willingness to serve after 9/11 helped rebuild the World Trade Center and unite the nation," Hillman said, noting that many were inspired to join the military following the attacks. "If there's one message that we feel we can elevate now... it's that so many people were inspired to serve their country."
What the Numbers Show
The September 11 attacks killed 2,977 people at three sites: 2,753 at the World Trade Center in New York City, 184 at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and 40 aboard United Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
According to census data and demographic analysis, approximately 100 million Americans have been born since the attacks or were too young to remember them when they occurred. This means roughly 30% of the current U.S. population has no direct memory of the events of that day.
The museum's new exhibition "Our Flag Was Still There" features artifacts including the Ground Zero flag raised by FDNY firefighters, a flag draped over the Pentagon by soldiers and firefighters, a flag raised over the last column of the South Tower, and one carried during the mission that killed Usama bin Laden in 2011.
The Victim Compensation Fund has paid more than $7 billion to thousands of claimants suffering from 9/11-related illnesses. The World Trade Center Health Program currently provides medical monitoring and treatment to over 127,000 responders and survivors.
The Bottom Line
The convergence of America's 250th birthday with the 25th anniversary of 9/11 creates a moment for reflection on national identity, resilience, and shared history. Museum officials say their goal is ensuring younger generations understand both the tragedy of that day and how Americans responded in its aftermath.
On July 4, the museum placed an American flag at each victim's name on the memorial pool to mark both occasions. Looking ahead to fall, the institution will begin offering free admission to veterans as part of commemorative programming.
The exhibition emphasizing flags and symbols of unity reflects Hillman's argument that commemoration offers opportunities for national cohesion when "many things seem to be splitting us apart." What visitors take from the museum's message about resilience may depend on their own perspectives on how the nation has evolved over the past quarter-century.