New York City has established Sept. 11 as an official citywide Day of Remembrance and Service ahead of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed two executive orders on Sept. 4: one aimed at honoring those affected by the attacks and their aftermath and one updating essential service planning.
The first order established annual observance. Under the order, city agencies are encouraged to hold memorial ceremonies, educational programs, displays and other commemorative activities.
“I am honored to establish the city’s first Day of Remembrance and Service on Sept. 11 to remember those we lost on that horrific day and the first responders, families and city workers whose lives were irrevocably changed in the aftermath," said Mamdani. "Through this executive order, we are calling on New Yorkers to honor their memory through service and deep reflection."
The mayor’s office will coordinate with NYC Service to promote volunteer and community service opportunities for New Yorkers. A citywide moment of silence will be designated each year to honor those who died in the attacks and from related illnesses.
The second order updates the city’s Continuity of Operations planning for the first time since 2007, with the goal of keeping essential services running during emergencies. It creates a Continuity and Mission Assurance Team, or CMAT, to coordinate preparedness across city agencies.
The team will be chaired by the deputy mayor for operations and include senior representatives from NYC Emergency Management, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Technology and Innovation. City agencies will be required to maintain and annually update continuity plans and conduct at least one exercise each year to test those plans.
The Day of Remembrance and Service will be observed annually on Sept. 11, with opportunities for residents to participate in remembrance, volunteerism and community service. The new continuity team will meet regularly to coordinate preparedness and help ensure essential city services remain available during future disruptions.
