For nearly a quarter-century, the phrase “never forget” has served as a central refrain in the annual commemoration of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. However, as the event recedes further into the past, its role in American civic identity is undergoing a natural transformation. With approximately 100 million Americans born after the attacks, the day is increasingly defined by historical study, memorials, and institutional narratives rather than personal memory.

Scholars of collective memory note that societies cannot maintain every detail of a past event with equal intensity. As time passes, the process of remembering inevitably involves selection. While the initial aftermath of 9/11 was defined by shared grief and displays of human resilience—such as the actions of first responders and the passengers of United Flight 93—the event eventually became a catalyst for significant political shifts. These included the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the expansion of government surveillance, and changes in national security policy.

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These political consequences now compete with the original, visceral experience of the attacks. For some, 9/11 is remembered as a cautionary tale regarding the erosion of civil liberties, while for others, it remains a symbol of national perseverance. As newer historical milestones—such as the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the events of January 6, 2021—occupy the public consciousness, the historical weight of 9/11 continues to shift.

Experts suggest that the challenge for future generations is not to remember every detail, but to discern which aspects of the event remain most vital. Preserving the memory of the initial human response—the solidarity and vulnerability experienced on that day—offers a way to honor the tragedy before it became a complex political inheritance.

Source: The Conversation