Like countless others 25 years ago today, Cynthia Williams watched in horror and deep sadness as the surreal images on television showed two hijacked passenger planes deliberately crash into the World Trade Center’s twin towers just 17 minutes apart.

However, for Williams, a Mississauga resident living in New York City at the time, the carnage was unfolding only 15 blocks from the Greenwich Village apartment she shared with her husband.

What had begun as a typical late-summer Tuesday morning in the Lower Manhattan part of New York City quickly and tragically turned into a catastrophic series of events — in NYC and elsewhere — that forever altered an untold number of lives and changed the course of history.

Hijacked planes took off from Boston

The first of the two large jets that had taken off from Boston’s Logan International Airport at around 8 a.m. struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower at 8:46 a.m.

At 9:03 a.m., the second hijacked airliner deliberately collided with the South Tower.

By 10:30 a.m., to the shock of thousands on and near the scene — and people around the globe — both of the 110-storey towers had collapsed in enormous, terrifying walls of dust and debris.

The South Tower, the second to be struck, came down at 9:59 a.m. while the North Tower disappeared into the ground below at 10:28 a.m.

Today, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we remember the lives lost, the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, and the airport workers who responded that day with compassion and care.

In the lead-up to today, Pay It Forward 9/11 transported a recovered piece of World Trade… pic.twitter.com/FElq67TV8x

— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) September 11, 2026

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In all, 2,753 people were killed at the World Trade Center. The grim figure included those inside the skyscrapers, passengers and crew on both planes, 343 firefighters and 60 police officers (23 with the NYPD and 37 Port Authority officers).

Two other planes were hijacked that same morning in what was quickly recognized as a coordinated series of suicide attacks in which 19 terrorists took over four passenger jets and used them to target the heart of the U.S.

A third aircraft that had come under the control of terrorists crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, while the fourth plane went down in a rural field in Pennsylvania after passengers united to attack those who’d hijacked the jet.

Those two terrifying incidents claimed 224 lives.

Memories of 9/11 are vivid

Williams, who along with her husband moved out of New York City in 2004, told INsauga.com this week the memories of that morning remain vivid.

“I can say it was a horrible nightmare for all experiencing it and for those watching it unfold,” said Williams, who had an appointment scheduled inside one of the twin towers for the following day. “The day changed so many things in this world. Having a yearly memorial is good for all because it is a time for pause and reflection. Hopefully, it is a reminder of what’s important in life.”

Numerous ceremonies marking the 9/11 attacks in 2001 were held across the U.S. and Canada on Friday as the many victims were remembered.

Thousands of people were expected to attend an event in Newfoundland, where 25 years ago 38 planes carrying more than 6,500 passengers were grounded in Gander after U.S. airspace was shut down following the attacks.

Incredible 25th Anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Centre. Over 3000 persons died. Canada helped, diverting 225+ planes to 17 of our airports – most well known being Gander Newfoundland. An incredible bond was formed with average Americans, one I’m sure continues today. pic.twitter.com/Achfna9C61

— Mayor Carolyn Parrish (@carolynhparrish) September 11, 2026


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