Dozens of police officers and firefighters walked from the Fireman's Hall Museum on North 2nd Street to the Betsy Ross House on Arch Street. They followed behind city leaders, including Mayor Cherelle Parker, Police Commissioner Keven Bethel and Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson.
"Twenty-four years ago today, our country changed forever," said Mayor Parker.
The first responders who gathered in the courtyard of the Betsy Ross house couldn't help but think of their brethren who ran into harm's way at the World Trade Center.
"Heroism comes in many forms. Uniform or not," said Bethel.
The ceremony included bell tolls in memory of those who died. Dignitaries also honored the Pennsylvania first responders who answered the call for help at Ground Zero.
"We have Pennsylvania task force one right here in Philadelphia, so some of my close personal friends were there," said Thompson.
The Philadelphia Flag Day Association and the Philadelphia Fire Department work together to hold the remembrance ceremony.
People paused on the sidewalks and even on balconies to observe the ceremony. Some attended in the courtyard, including a group of students from Freedom Arts Academy in Center City.
"It gave them a chance to feel and learn and see what happened back then," said Eboney Days, who is a teacher at Freedom Arts Academy.
Eighteen-year-old Justin Butler attended the ceremony as he prepared to take a big step in his life. He wasn't born when the 9/11 attacks happened, but he was still inspired by first responders to enlist in the Navy. After Thursday's ceremony of remembrance, he and five others took an oath of service to be inducted into the Navy.
"His father is a Philadelphia police officer, so service is in the genes," said his mother, Elizabeth Butler.
"It takes a special person to raise their hand and knowingly commit to such a life," said Rear Admiral Michael York of the U.S. Navy.
Local leaders want the memory of 9/11 to be not just about the horror of the attack but about the heroism that followed.
"On 9/11 the world saw both the very worst and the very best of what people are capable of," said Bethel.
They are acts of bravery that still inspire 24 years later.
"Today is about making sure that we remember," said Thompson.