25 Years After 9/11: Lessons in Leadership, Resilience and Finding Our Better Angels
Ford’s Theatre presents a conversation marking the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The program brings together leaders and a veteran journalist to consider the decisions, courage and community efforts that shaped the nation’s response, from the actions of first responders and public officials to military mobilization and the long-term work of healing and remembrance.
The speakers will discuss how leadership can inspire hope during moments of profound crisis, how a nation can find unity under pressure and how the experiences and lessons of 9/11 can be preserved for people who did not live through the events firsthand.
When: September 29, 2026
Showtime: 6 p.m. Eastern Time
Format: In-person conversation at Ford’s Theatre
Tickets: Free
Registration: Registration is required.
Accessibility: The event is identified as accessible.
Venue: Ford’s Theatre, Washington, D.C.
Speakers: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mitch E. Daniels Jr. and Norah O’Donnell
Hillary Rodham Clinton: Clinton’s career has included service as an advocate and attorney, first lady, U.S. senator from New York, secretary of state and presidential candidate. As secretary of state, she promoted a “smart power” foreign-policy approach, worked to strengthen international alliances and addressed global conflicts, human rights and democratic governance. Earlier in her public career, she traveled extensively as first lady and senator, advocated for women and girls and supported first responders who worked at Ground Zero. She is the author of 12 bestselling books, founded Onward Together and HiddenLight Productions, serves on the Clinton Foundation’s board and teaches at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She is also chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast and a producer of the Broadway musical *Suffs*.
Mitch E. Daniels Jr.: Daniels is Purdue University’s president emeritus and returned to the university as interim president in July 2026. He previously served two terms as governor of Indiana from 2005 to 2013 and was Purdue’s president from 2013 to 2022. As governor, he helped move Indiana from an $800 million deficit to a AAA credit rating while pursuing infrastructure, education, health care and economic reforms. At Purdue, he emphasized affordability, froze tuition and mandatory fees at 2012 levels and helped reduce aggregate student borrowing. Earlier positions included director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush, senior adviser to President Ronald Reagan, chief of staff to Senator Richard Lugar and CEO of the Hudson Institute. He has also held leadership roles at Eli Lilly and Company and is the author of four books.
Norah O’Donnell: O’Donnell is an Emmy Award-winning *60 Minutes* correspondent with nearly three decades of experience covering national and international news. She formerly served as anchor and managing editor of the *CBS Evening News*, co-host of *CBS This Morning* and CBS News chief White House correspondent. She has covered eight presidential elections and interviewed every living U.S. president, along with numerous global leaders and public figures. Her reporting has received multiple Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, Gracie, Sigma Delta Chi, duPont-Columbia and Scripps Howard awards. She is the author of *We the Women: Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America* and hosts the CBS News podcast *Healthful with Norah O’Donnell*. Before joining CBS, she reported for NBC News on the Pentagon, Congress and the White House, after beginning her career at *Roll Call*.
Run time: Not listed.
Ages: Not listed.