On the early morning of September 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of Defense unfurled an American flag on the side of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The ceremony was attended by U.S. officials who participated in the flag‑raising as a visible sign of remembrance.
The flag was hoisted at dawn, a symbolic moment that aligns with the timing of the original attacks. The Department of Defense described the act as a tribute to the victims of the attacks and a reminder of the nation’s resolve. The event did not feature speeches or statements beyond the official acknowledgment of the flag’s significance.
The September 11 attacks in 2001 resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people across the United States. Of those, 184 were killed when a hijacked aircraft struck the Pentagon, the headquarters of the Department of Defense. The flag‑raising ceremony therefore serves to honor both the broader national loss and the specific tragedy that unfolded at the Pentagon.
The Pentagon’s flag‑raising follows a series of observances held at federal sites across the country each year on the anniversary of the attacks. By placing the flag on the building’s exterior, the Department of Defense provides a public visual reminder of the events of 2001 and the continuing impact on service members, civilians, and families.
The ceremony concludes the day’s schedule of remembrance activities, which include moments of silence observed at the Pentagon and other memorial sites. The flag will remain displayed for the remainder of the day, offering a focal point for reflection as the nation acknowledges a quarter‑century since the attacks that reshaped American history.