A new two-hour primetime special, "9/11: United We Stand," explores how the nation used art, music, and sports to heal in the aftermath of the tragedy.
As the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, a new documentary highlights a lesser-told story of resilience, showing how American culture, sports, and entertainment helped a grieving country find hope and unity in its darkest hour.
WHAT HAPPENED
On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, ABC premiered a new two-hour primetime special titled "9/11: United We Stand — 25 Years Later." Led and executive produced by Good Morning America co-anchor and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, the documentary focuses on how the United States turned to art, music, comedy, and sports to heal in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The special features deeply personal interviews with a star-studded lineup of cultural icons, including Jon Bon Jovi, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, Pete Davidson, Derek Jeter, Billy Crystal, Matthew Broderick, and various Broadway stars. Through archival footage and new conversations, these figures share their memories of how the entertainment and sports worlds helped a devastated public rediscover connection and joy.
The project was produced by ABC News Studios in partnership with Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini's SMAC Productions, A+E Factual Studios, Derek Jeter's Cap 2 Productions, and The Montag Group. Strahan, who spent his entire 15-season professional football career with the New York Giants, was actively playing when the attacks occurred and experienced firsthand the profound impact the tragedy had on the sports world and the New York metropolitan area.
Key facts about the documentary include:
- Air Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. EDT on ABC.
- Streaming: Available the following day, September 2, on Disney+ and Hulu.
- Focus: The cultural impact of the attacks and the role of media, sports, and arts in national healing.
- Key Interviewees: Jon Bon Jovi, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, Pete Davidson, Derek Jeter, Billy Crystal, and Matthew Broderick.
- Production Partners: SMAC Productions, Cap 2 Productions, A+E Factual Studios, and The Montag Group.
WHY IT MATTERS
While the geopolitical, military, and physical aftermath of the September 11 attacks has been extensively documented over the last two and a half decades, the story of how the country culturally recovered remains relatively untold. The documentary sheds light on the unexpected sources of comfort that brought communities together when they felt most vulnerable.
For many Americans, the return of professional sports, late-night comedy, and live theater served as vital milestones on the road to recovery. By looking back at these moments, the special offers a powerful reminder of national unity and resilience during a period of immense grief. It also highlights the unique role that public figures and entertainers played in helping the public process trauma.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Following its television premiere on ABC, "9/11: United We Stand — 25 Years Later" will be available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu starting September 2, 2026.
The special serves as the anchor for a broader, multiplatform commemoration by Disney Entertainment Television leading up to the official 25th anniversary on September 11, 2026. This programming will include collaborative content across ABC News, National Geographic, and Disney's digital platforms to honor the victims and survivors of the tragedy.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- How will younger generations, many of whom have no living memory of the 9/11 attacks, respond to this retrospective on cultural healing?
- What specific, previously untold personal stories from the featured celebrities will be revealed for the first time in the documentary?
- Will other major networks release similar culture-focused retrospectives as the 25th anniversary of September 11 approaches?
SOURCE NOTE
This story draws on reporting from The Hollywood Reporter.
Transparency notes
Published: Sep 1, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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