9/11 memorial ceremony adds 7th moment of silence

For nearly 25 years, the annual Sept. 11 commemoration has paused six times to mark the defining moments of the attacks that changed America. This year, as the nation marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum is adding a seventh moment of silence, honoring thousands whose lives were cut short by illnesses linked to the toxic aftermath of the attacks.

The new tribute recognizes first responders, recovery workers, survivors and Lower Manhattan residents exposed to dangerous dust and debris in the days and months after Sept. 11. More than 8,000 people enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program have since died, and officials say tens of thousands continue to battle 9/11-related health conditions.

"We've lost far too many to cancer, respiratory issues and other 9/11-related illnesses," Dr. Kerry Kelly, former New York Fire Department chief medical officer, said in a statement. The new moment of silence ensures those sacrifices remain part of the nation's annual remembrance, underscoring that the impact of 9/11 is still being felt a quarter-century later.

Here's what to know about the seven moments of silence.

The six original moments of silence represent the times when each of the World…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/