The keyword term functions as a noun phrase. The core component is the noun "lights," which is being modified by "sep 11." In this construction, "sep 11" acts as a noun adjunct, a type of modifier that specifies the context or type of the noun it precedes. Therefore, the main point of the phrase is the tangible or conceptual "lights" that are specifically associated with the date September 11.
This phrase most commonly refers to the "Tribute in Light," an annual public art installation located in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The installation consists of eighty-eight 7,000-watt xenon searchlights arranged in two squares, echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers. When activated, these searchlights project two powerful vertical columns of light into the night sky, creating a visual representation of the fallen World Trade Center towers. The tribute is illuminated from dusk on September 11 to dawn on September 12 each year as a memorial to the victims of the 2001 attacks.
As a memorial, the installation serves as a powerful and somber symbol of remembrance and hope. The ephemeral, non-physical nature of the light beams creates a unique monument that is both visually striking and deeply poignant. It has become an iconic part of the annual commemoration, providing a focal point for collective mourning and reflection. The installation's visibility from a radius of up to 60 miles transforms the city's skyline into a beacon of resilience and a solemn tribute to a pivotal moment in history.
