What we remember when we remember 9/11

When most people think of September 11, 2001, their minds are flooded with vivid memories of where they were and what they were doing at the moment they learned of the terrorist attacks. These flashbulb memories are not memories of being directly involved in the event, but rather the recollections of the exact moment and surrounding context when someone learned about the incident.

These memories are significant because they provide a connection between the public and personal, allowing individuals to comprehend not only what happened, but also what it meant.

During the immediate aftermath of the attacks, people who were actually present in New York, Virginia, or Shanksville shared their stories with each other. As time passed, those who did not experience the events firsthand learned about them from others, creating a collective memory that connects the public and personal aspects of the tragedy. The act of remembering 9/11 can take many forms, from recalling factual details about the event to vivid flashbulb memories of how an individual person heard about the attacks.

In the United States, remembering the 9/11 attacks may involve honoring those who were directly affected by reflecting on the lives lost and the loved ones left behind. This act of remembrance can be a deeply personal way of mourning, but it can also serve as a demonstration of respect and reverence for people who did not know the victims personally.

As the event and its participants recede into the past, appeals to memory shift towards abstract concepts, such as drawing lessons and shaping future actions. Public memorials like the 9/11 Memorial and Museum are designed to encourage these abstract types of remembering.