A close up of the statue of liberty's face. - "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The statue overlooks the New York Harbor and former site of the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. On September 11, we remember and honor 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon.