From the archives: The Sept. 11 attacks on our front pages
Maine Newspapers Revisit the 9/11 Day of 2001 on Its 25th Anniversary
On Tuesday, September 11, 2026, the Maine Press Herald turned to its own archives to trace how the state’s papers covered the events that would change the course of American history. A digital production team, led by long‑time Mainer Alex Lear, scoured Newspapers.com for the front pages of Maine’s daily dailies from September 11 to September 16, 2001. The result was a visual chronicle of local reactions to a global tragedy, coupled with a reminder of how swiftly a nation can shift its priorities.
A Special Edition Printed Too Soon
The Portland Press Herald’s own September 11 issue is a case in point. The paper’s original edition hit the stands early in the morning, before the full extent of the attacks was known. By noon the headlines were different. Lear explains that the city’s flagship daily had to issue an eight‑page special edition, “America under attack,” which blended national coverage with local impacts and reactions. The front page of that special issue was later posted on Newspapers.com, offering a snapshot of how the paper adapted to evolving news.
Front Pages from Across the State
The archive search yielded front‑page images from a dozen Maine dailies. In the days following the attacks, the front pages of the Journal Tribune (September 11), Kennebec Journal (September 12), Morning Sentinel (September 12), Sun Journal (September 12), and Maine Sunday Telegram (September 16) were all captured. Each front page displayed a mix of national headlines—images of the World Trade Center, headlines about the hijackers, and the President’s response—alongside local stories, such as community vigils, calls for help, and the emotional toll on Mainer families.
“These pages reflect the local impacts of a global‑level event, and how quickly the world could change,” Lear wrote. The images illustrate how the attacks reverberated even in distant Maine, where residents began to feel the weight of a nation under siege.
The Broader Significance
The 9/11 attacks triggered a shift in U.S. foreign policy that has endured for decades. Lear’s piece notes that the events “redirected America’s foreign policy in the Middle East for years to come.” That realignment has manifested in wars, sanctions, and a reshaping of diplomatic priorities—factors that continue to affect Maine residents through defense spending and global trade.
A Call for Community Support
In addition to the retrospective, the article serves as a reminder of the value of local journalism. “Subscriber support is how we continue to produce quality local journalism for Maine,” Lear writes. He encourages readers to consider a digital subscription that grants access to the Maine archives on Newspapers.com.
About the Author
Alex Lear is a lifelong Mainer who spent two decades as a reporter in Damariscotta and Falmouth, before moving into editorial roles at the Sun Journal. He now works as a digital producer for the Maine Trust for Local News and remains a frequent contributor to the Press Herald.
By revisiting the front pages that greeted Mainer readers on September 11, 2001, the Maine Press Herald offers a window into how the state’s newsrooms responded to a shock that reshaped national priorities—and reminds readers that the past can still be seen, page by page, in the newspapers that cover our daily lives.
