Smithsonian marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a display of rare artifacts

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks with a special exhibit running through Saturday. It displays dozens of rarely seen items—such as seat belts and a flight attendant call button from United Airlines Flight 93, a purse with keys and a wallet recovered at the World Trade Center site, and even a telephone on U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson’s desk when his wife Barbara called from a hijacked plane. The museum says some objects are too fragile for glass cases. Director Anthea Hartig said the goal is to help visitors “never forget” and reconnect with a new generation. The exhibit has drawn political scrutiny, including after Trump directed signs be added noting some exhibits may be inaccurate, though the signs had not been installed as of the report.