History unearths 9/11 flag, plans special

US cable net History has helped recover an iconic missing flag that was seen as a symbol of hope in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks.

The A+E cable channel first told the story of the flag in a 2014 episode of its Brad Meltzer’s Lost History series.

After the transmission of that show the flag was anonymously handed in to a police station and a forensic examination ensued to establish if it was the right flag.

With those tests complete Jana Bennett, president of History, and Joe Daniels, president of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum (which will display it) yesterday announced it was the same flag.

A new show, America’s 9/11 Flag: Rise from the Ashes, will chronicle the flag’s journey in a one-off that will go out on History on September 11. Like the earlier show, Brad Meltzer will present, and Red Arrow-backed prodco Left/Right will produce.

“The story of how the flag was found, authenticated and returned to New York is one of the great modern day mysteries solved,” said Bennett.

“Programmes like America’s 9/11 Flag: Rise from the Ashes are an example of History’s commitment to commemorating the events that unfolded on and after 9/11, as well as the stories of individuals who witnessed or played a role in the events of that day.”