Every September 11, New York stops. Not only to read aloud the names of the victims of the greatest terrorist attack in U.S. history, but also to observe how architecture becomes a living memory.
This year, as it has since 2016, the Oculus, the train station and shopping mall designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, once again projected its famous beam of light: a “sun gap” known as the Wedge of Light, which cuts through the building’s main lobby at 10:28 a.m., the exact time the second World Trade Center tower collapsed in 2001.
A tribute that speaks in silence
Although only one end of the Oculus was open to the public, dozens of visitors – among them Hispanic tourists – gathered on the balconies to watch the natural light cross the white marble of the lobby.
Early in the morning, many were already waiting in complete silence with their cameras at the ready.
“We wanted to be part of this special moment. We saw it on TV in 2001, but being here is different,” said Claudia, a visitor from Argentina.
The more than 100-meter-long skylight is designed for this phenomenon to occur only once a year, but its accuracy depends on weather and technical details.
This year, the experience was partial: the organizers were unable to fully open the skylight hatches due to past structural problems with the insulation seals.
Even so, the atmosphere was solemn.
Guiding lights in the dark
Today marks 24 years since the #11S terrorist attack.
Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on Flight 93.
On September 11, 2001, planes hijacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists struck the Twin Towers in New York pic.twitter.com/ktiX0hkoPq
– @SegoviaBastidas (@SegoviaBastidas) September 11, 2025
The Wedge of Light is just one of many symbolic tributes on this date.
Since 9/11 in 2002, New York has projected two columns of blue light into the night sky, visible from more than 100 kilometers away, as a tribute to the Twin Towers.
The Empire State Building also lights up blue, while fire stations pause to honor their fallen.
This year marks the 24th anniversary of the attack and, as is customary, the names of the nearly 3,000 victims were read out, including those who died in the 1993 WTC attack.
The event was reserved for family members, authorities and security forces.
The ceremony was attended by FBI Director Kash Patel, Governor Kathy Hochul, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Although Vice President JD Vance was expected, he canceled his participation to relocate to Utah following the murder of activist Charlie Kirk.
For his part, President Donald Trump participated in a parallel tribute at the Pentagon and announced his presence later in the day at a Yankees game.
The 9/11 Memorial area remains closed to the general public during the day, but remains one of the most visited sites by tourists and locals.
In addition to remembering the direct victims, each year the names of firefighters, rescue workers and civilians who have died from illnesses resulting from exposure to dust and toxic materials following the collapse of the towers are added each year.
Esto no es solo historia. Es una herida que muchos aún viven. Pero también es un ejemplo de cómo una ciudad elige recordar, con respeto, belleza y luz
Voluntario del Oculus
