What do the white roses mean at the 9/11 Memorial in New York?
As you walk through the 9/11 Memorial in New York, you'll likely spot white roses placed here and there. Here's what they symbolize.
Why white roses at the World Trade Center memorial?
- In the heart of New York’s Financial District, the September 11 memorial honors the roughly 3,000 victims of the September 11 attacks. Large bronze plaques inscribed with the names of 2,983 victims surround two reflecting pools built on the exact footprint of the former Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
- Every day, you’ll notice one or more white roses scattered throughout the memorial. These roses mark each victim’s birthday. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum notes that at least one birthday falls on every single day of the year.
Who started placing white roses at the 9/11 memorial?
- The first roses were placed in 2013 by a volunteer who maintained the memorial. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum adopted and formalized the practice. “It’s another way for visitors to learn more about the victims, to share their experience and to connect with them,” the museum explains.
- Each morning before the memorial opens to the public, a volunteer checks the day’s birthdays and places the rose or roses accordingly. Here’s another detail worth knowing: the roses come from Mikey Collarone, who owns a flower shop in the Financial District. This former paramedic participated in the rescue operations on September 11, 2001.
Learn more about the white roses at the memorial
The memorial sits in Lower Manhattan, a neighborhood filled with hidden passages and unexpected historical sites like the beautiful Fraunces Tavern. To explore the history of the memorial, the World Trade Center, and the Financial District, discover our guided tour of Manhattan.