September 11th Initiative

StoryCorps has won a 71st Annual George Foster Peabody Award for our September 11 audio and animated shorts.

StoryCorps 9/11 Initiative

Since 2005, StoryCorps and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum have worked to record at least one story to honor each life lost in the attacks on September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. To date, StoryCorps has recorded and archived 1,193 September 11th stories, representing 583 individual victims. You can find out more about our efforts to honor the 10th anniversary of 9/11 here.

September 11th Animated Shorts

“Always a Family”

On the morning of September 11th, Michael Trinidad called his ex-wife, Monique Ferrer, from the 103rd floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower to say goodbye. In the wake of his death, Monique tells the story of Michael’s lasting legacy—the family they built together.

“She Was the One”

When Richie Pecorella met Karen Juday, she captured his heart and changed his life. They were engaged and living together in Brooklyn when Karen was killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, where she worked as an administrative assistant. Here, Richie remembers Karen, his love and inspiration.

“John and Joe”

John Vigiano Sr. is a retired New York City firefighter whose two sons followed him into service—John Jr. was a firefighter, too, and Joe was a police detective.  On September 11, 2001, both Vigiano brothers responded to the call from the World Trade Center, and both were killed while saving others.  Here, John Sr. remembers his sons and reflects on coping with his tremendous loss.


September 11th Stories

“He just won't get out of my mind...”

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Ten year-old Frankie DeVito remembers his grandfather, Bill Steckman, in an interview with his mother Diana. Bill Steckman was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

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Recorded in Baldwin, NY.

“His sister idolized him.”

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John and Elaine Leinung remember their son, Paul J. Battaglia, who was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

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Recorded in New York, NY.

“I called his name into the phone over and over...”

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Beverly Eckert remembers her husband, Sean Rooney, who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Read more…

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Recorded in New York, NY.

“I thought he was the goofiest guy I had ever met...”

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Granvilette Kestenbaum remembers her husband, Howard, who died in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001.

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Recorded in New York, NY.

“He was a high adventurer.”

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Alison and Jefferson Crowther remember their son, Welles Crowther, who was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

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Recorded in New York, NY.

“When he was five, we went into a candy store...”

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Arlene Sullivan remembers her son, Tommy Sullivan, in an interview with her daughter Norene Schneider. Tommy was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

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Recorded in New York, NY.


StoryCorps’ One-Hour Special

Hosted by NPR’s Audie Cornish, in partnership with StoryCorps and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, We Remember: StoryCorps Stories from 9/11 takes an intimate look at lives forever changed by the attacks on 9/11. These are stories from families and friends who tell us about their loved ones and their loss: the father who recalls the last words he shared with his son, the recovery worker who discovers a new meaning for normal, the fireman’s daughter who knew that her dad who perished in the line of duty wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. On the 10th anniversary of the attacks, host Audie Cornish checks in with StoryCorps families to find out how they make their way today.



Major funding for StoryCorps is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Funding for the September 11th Initiative is provided by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, with additional funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

StoryCorps National Partners include: