Hero Stories

An ESPN special – Identified by the red bandana he wore in his youth, and while playing lacrosse at Boston University, Crowther was in the South Tower on September 11, 2001, and lost his life making repeated trips, guiding and carrying people to safety.

The National Archives' take on President George W. Bush’s 2001 World Series first pitch became a lasting symbol of unity and resilience after September 11.

On September 11, 2001, FDNY Captain Billy Burke remained on the 27th floor of the North Tower with two trapped civilians, allowing his fellow firefighters to escape; his decision saved their lives and he is remembered by many as a hero.

An NPR interview with Col. Philip A. McNair, who was working at the Pentagon when it was struck on Sept. 11, 2001. Warning: Please note that some might find the content in this piece graphic and disturbing.

An interview by NPR's Michel Martin, who speaks with Rodney Ratchford, Jr., who lost his mother, Marsha Ratchford, in the attack on the Pentagon 20 years ago.

The last known four-legged hero that spent days at Ground Zero in the aftermath, working on search and recovery missions, has passed. Explore the full article to see a video of Bretagne visiting the September 11th National Memorial and Museum and being honored for her heroics.

A True Story documentary features survivors' first-hand accounts of their harrowing experiences of being inside the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001.

A National Geographic short film on the 9/11 "Survivor Tree" and its journey back to the September 11th Memorial and Museum.

A 5-minute video from The History Channel on the story of Todd Beamer and the heroics on board Flight 93, which saved countless lives.

A British-American Army Veteran, who, throughout his time serving as the Head of Security for Morgan Stanley, was a proponent of creating and regularly scheduling safety drills that most likely saved thousands of lives on September 11, 2001. Only 13 Morgan Stanley employees, including Rescorla, were unable to evacuate before the South Tower collapsed. He was last seen climbing back up the tower stairs to make a final sweep for others minutes before the collapse.

Reader's Digest recounts seven acts of fate/ divine intervention that prevented these individuals from being at the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001, ultimately saving their lives.

To commemorate the 18th Anniversary of 9/11, the National Archives shared a photo from the Ground Zero recovery and cleanup efforts. Finding the photo on Instagram, the son of FDNY firefighter Paul Bardo recognized his father in the image.