New York marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a powerful drone tribute over New York Harbour.
A total of 2,977 illuminated drones were used in the display.
Each drone represented one person killed in the 2001 attacks.
The public artwork recreated the outline of the Twin Towers above the Hudson River.
The display was held on Wednesday night, two days before the main anniversary observance on Friday.
Organisers named the installation “2,977 Lights Over New York Harbour.”
The drones rose above the water before forming the towers at full architectural scale.
The tribute created a dramatic visual reminder of the buildings that once defined the Manhattan skyline.
2,977 Lights Honour Every Victim
Organisers said the number of drones was deliberately chosen to match the number of people killed in the September 11 attacks.
The project was developed in consultation with members of the 9/11 community.
Victims’ families, survivors and first responders contributed to the planning process.
Among those involved was Brenda Berkman, a former New York City Fire Department first responder and artist.
Terry Strada, president of 9/11 Families United, also participated.
Jim Smith was another contributor. His wife, NYPD Officer Moira Smith, was killed during the attacks.
The organisers said the involvement of the 9/11 community was intended to ensure that the tribute remained respectful and historically meaningful.
The drone formation recreated one of the most recognisable symbols associated with September 11.
The illuminated towers were visible across parts of New York’s waterfront.
Thousands of residents and visitors were able to watch the free public display.
Drone Display Joins Iconic Tribute in Light
The drone artwork was designed to complement New York’s established “Tribute in Light” memorial.
That annual installation uses 88 powerful searchlights.
The lights are arranged into two vertical columns representing the original Twin Towers.
The beams have become one of the most recognisable visual commemorations of the attacks.
The new drone tribute added a modern technological element to the anniversary.
Rather than replacing traditional memorials, organisers described it as another way of preserving the memory of September 11.
Berkman said art can help future generations understand historical events and the emotions connected to them.
She noted that a large number of Americans are now too young to personally remember the attacks.
Around 100 million Americans were either not born or were too young to remember September 11, according to her remarks.
Organisers hope the display will therefore serve both as a memorial and an educational experience.
New York Focuses on Victims and First Responders
The 25th anniversary comes as memories of September 11 continue to shape public life in New York and across the United States.
Commemorative events are focusing on the victims, survivors, emergency workers and families affected by the attacks.
The anniversary period has also coincided with political debate in New York.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has faced criticism over the appointment of Ramzi Kassem as chief legal counsel.
However, Mamdani said the anniversary week should remain focused on the families of victims and the first responders who served during and after the attacks.
The drone tribute highlighted that message through a visual memorial visible across New York Harbour.
Twenty-five years after the attacks, the illuminated Twin Towers served as both a symbol of loss and a reminder of the lives remembered each September.
