The City of Columbus invites the community to join in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A remembrance ceremony will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, on the Columbus City Hall Plaza at 123 Washington Street, beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m. The event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend.

The Columbus Fire Department also announces that following this year’s 25th anniversary observance, it will transition away from an annual public ceremony and move to marking only milestone anniversaries. This change will allow firefighters to shift toward more intimate, internal station-level rituals. Currently, 17 of the department’s 95 members were serving as Columbus Firefighters at the time of the attacks. Chief Andy Lay noted that many current members who were not yet born or working in the fire service in 2001 have nonetheless embraced “Never Forget” as a cultural vow within the profession.

“Our older and newer generations join together to weave remembrance into a daily activity through their training, health and wellness advocacy, and displaying a high level of service to the community,” said Chief Lay.

The ceremony will include a moment of silence, offering attendees time for reflection and honoring the memory of those who perished in the attacks. A special dispatch broadcast will pay tribute to first responders and citizens who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard United Airlines Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 individuals lost their lives in the attacks.

The Columbus Police and Fire Color Guard will participate, and officials from the Columbus Fire Department will deliver remarks. A traditional fire service bell ceremony is also planned. The observance is expected to last approximately 30 minutes.