In this photograph, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama join former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Welch Bush for the dedication of the National September 11 Memorial in New York, New York, on September 11, 2011. The dedication ceremony was held in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. Located at the former site of the World Trade Center, the memorial features reflecting pools bearing the names of the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombings. In May 2014, an adjacent museum was opened and dedicated by President Barack Obama.

In 2002, President George W. Bush designated September 11th as Patriot Day, a time that has been recognized through presidential proclamations as a national day of remembrance, prayer, and service. Presidents and first ladies typically commemorate the day through moment of silence observations on the White House South Lawn, and by attending remembrance ceremonies at sites affected by the terrorist attacks.