The National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York has opened a new exhibition, "In Their Honor: 25 Years of 9/11 Inspired Service," to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks and to reach a generation with no personal memory of the events. Museum president and chief executive Elizabeth L. Hillman said the aim is to show visitors how profoundly 9/11 reshaped the lives of those who responded to it, using firsthand testimony to make the history resonate with younger audiences who cannot recall the day itself.

The exhibition features artefacts, interactive displays and personal accounts from military veterans, first responders, volunteers, educators and victims' relatives whose lives were redirected by the tragedy. Its centrepiece is Feathers of the Phoenix, a 15-foot papier-mâché sculpture made by children who lost family members on 9/11 while attending America's Camp. The museum has also produced a free 35-minute digital film sharing six personal stories, including that of brothers James and Patrick Dowdell, whose firefighter father died responding to the attacks, which led James to join the New York Fire Department and Patrick to join the US Army. Hillman said the museum tailors age-appropriate resources, including recommending Sesame Street's post-9/11 episodes, to help families discuss the attacks; the exhibition opens to the public on 12 September.