9/11 observances in Boston mark 23 years since terror attacks

BOSTON - Today marks 23 years since the 9/11 terror attacks. Events to honor the victims are planned across the country and in Massachusetts on Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning there was a reading of the names of the victims from Massachusetts on the front steps of the State House. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu were among those who read the names.

A moment of silence was held at 8:46 a.m. to mark the time that the first hijacked flight crashed into the World Trade Center.

The ceremony moved inside the State House for the presentation of the Madeline "Amy" Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery. The honor is named for the Acton flight attendant who alerted crews on the ground about the hijacking of Flight 11.

This year's recipient was Jillian Smith. She ran into a burning home in Wales, Massachusetts to save a neighbor from a fire in Wales, Massachusetts last December.

"She didn't think twice about doing so," Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said when presenting the award.

There was a wreath-laying ceremony at the Boston Public Garden's 9/11 memorial, dedicated in 2004 to the victims of the attacks from Massachusetts and New England.

At 5 p.m., a procession is scheduled from Boston Common to the State House for the Mass. Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony.

And until 1 p.m., the Red Cross is holding a Day of Remembrance Blood Drive at Fenway Park. Click here for more information.