September 11: Bearing Witness to History

National September 11 Collection Objects

To commemorate the tenth anniversary of September 11, the National Museum of American History is providing visitors with a close-up view of more than 50 objects recovered from the three sites attacked that fateful day—New York, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa.—as well as recent acquisitions that relate to how American lives have changed since then. The Museum's presentation will be an unusual blend of a public program and a simple display of artifacts—a display, not a full exhibition. For nine days only, the objects will be shown on open tables, without cases. The intent is to give visitors an intimate experience that will help make this historic day more real in their memories and stimulate them to reflect on its significance.

These objects are detailed and specific witnesses to the tragedy and horror of one day that profoundly changed the history of the United States. How did it affect your life? Here also you can explore all the other objects the Museum has preserved from September 11 and you can look back at an exhibition mounted in 2002, one year after the event.  What does September 11, 2001 mean to you?