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Friday, June 27, 2025

On Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, city residents and university members across Gainesville commemorated what happened on 9/11, 20 years ago. UF Young Americans for Freedom planted 2,977 flags in the ground to represent the lives lost. About 50 people gathered at Reserve Park to share stories about how 9/11 impacted them. Collegiate Veterans Society members, firefighters and friends met at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to climb the steps to honor those who climbed the tower stairs and saved thousands of lives. 


Esha Nair

Esha is currently a second year Psychology student at the University of Florida. In the past, she worked as the Chief Editor at Delhi Public School, Bangalore North. In her free time, Esha loves to read and play video games. 


Alan Halaly

Alan Halaly is a third-year journalism major and the Spring 2023 Editor-in-Chief of The Alligator. He's previously served as Engagement Managing Editor, Metro Editor and Photo Editor. Alan has also held internships with the Miami New Times and The Daily Beast, and spent his first two semesters in college on The Alligator’s Metro desk covering city and county affairs. 


Lauren Witte

Lauren is a third year photojournalism student pursuing a minor in Spanish. She has shot photos for Fresh Take Florida and the Gainesville Sun. Lauren likes roller skating in her free time.

Related

On May 21, the Florida Gators visited the White House, marking the third time the team has made the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The team was invited after becoming the NCAA basketball champions, something the president and Gators fans across the nation were eager to celebrate.

A look back at the Gators' visit to the White House

On May 21, the Florida Gators visited the White House, marking the third time the team has made the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The team was invited after becoming the NCAA basketball champions, something the president and Gators fans across the nation were eager to celebrate.


Beer, firecrackers and chants of “it’s great to be a Florida Gator” were flung in the air as the Gators won the national championship, quickly prompting spectators to jump out of their chairs and over the fence onto Second Avenue. 

Gators win national championship

Beer, firecrackers and chants of “it’s great to be a Florida Gator” were flung in the air as the Gators won the national championship, quickly prompting spectators to jump out of their chairs and over the fence onto Second Avenue. 


When UF’s Final Four matchup against the Auburn Tigers ended in triumph, Gainesville roared. Students stormed the streets. Bar floors shook. Fireworks exploded. The Gators had just advanced to their first National Championship since 2007. Take a look at how the city celebrated.

Final Four: How Gainesville celebrated its victory

When UF’s Final Four matchup against the Auburn Tigers ended in triumph, Gainesville roared. Students stormed the streets. Bar floors shook. Fireworks exploded. The Gators had just advanced to their first National Championship since 2007. Take a look at how the city celebrated.


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