The NPR Politics Podcast Listen: How The Country Remembered 9/11, Two Decades Later
Sep 11, 2021
The podcast reflects on the poignant 20th anniversary of 9/11, highlighting memorial ceremonies across the nation. Speakers share emotional insights on the bravery of Flight 93 passengers and the initial sense of unity post-attack, now challenged by political division. The discussion also connects the lasting impact of 9/11 on contemporary society, including ties to recent events like January 6. Finally, they emphasize the significance of annual memorials in fostering collective memory, echoing the rituals of secular remembrance.
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Shanksville Memorial
- Scott Detrow describes the 20th anniversary commemoration at the Flight 93 National Memorial.
- He notes the somber atmosphere and the poignant contrast between the passengers' unity and the current fractured state of America.
9-11 in Washington D.C.
- Ron Elving recalls his experience as NPR's senior Washington editor on 9-11.
- He describes the fear, confusion, and rumors that circulated in Washington, D.C., following the attacks.
Calls for Unity, Displays of Disunity
- President Biden and George W. Bush both called for national unity.
- However, Scott Detrow observed an incident at the Shanksville memorial where someone turned their back on Vice President Harris, highlighting the current disunity.