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Five years on, it's still difficult for many Americans to accept and understand what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. Regardless of where you were or how you were affected, 9/11 will always be more than just a memory. Here's a taste of some local events that keep both pertinent thought and honest discussion alive.

9/11: A Nation Remembers

Runs Sept. 8-Jan. 1, $7-$9, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St., 215-409-6600, www.constitutioncenter.org

For the past five years, photographer Jonathan Hyman has traveled the country documenting how Americans have coped with the tragedy. For this 100-image collection (pictured), he shot everything from city murals to rural memorials to patriotic tattoos. Both families of 9/11 victims and police, fire and rescue workers will receive free admission to the show throughout its run.

Wartime/City Dwellers

Opening reception Sept. 9, 8 p.m., runs through Oct. 1, Gallery at Lazertown!, 3245 Amber St., 215-739-4890, www.lazertown.com

Artist Matt Dougherty creates a stark, expressionistic view of living with terror in this solo exhibit, part two of Lazertown's recent "War On/20th Century Art" show. Dougherty, who spent time studying in NYC, looked to WWI-era art and the "wordless novels" of Frans Masereel and Alfred Kubin as inspiration for his work, which addresses the fear and pain of existence in a post-9/11 world.

Saint of 9/11

Mon., Sept. 11, 8 p.m., free, Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. and Market St., www.pennslandingcorp.com

The anniversary of the attack will see a screening of Saint of 9/11, a film that tells the moving story of Father Mychal Judge, an FDNY chaplain who lost his life during the attacks. The film was produced by the Equality Forum.

Nonviolent Response to Terrorism

Mon., Sept. 11, 4:15 p.m., free, Scheuer Room in Kohlberg Hall, Swarthmore College, 600 College Ave., Swarthmore, 510-328-8535

This panel discussion will be spearheaded by nonviolent action trainer George Lakey and Tom Hastings, author of Meek Ain't Weak. They will address nonviolent alternatives the U.S. government can employ to combat both state-sponsored and non-state terrorism. They'll be joined by Swarthmore alum Lynne Steuerle Schofield, who lost her mother on Sept. 11. Schofield is the co-founder of Our Voices Together, an organization committed to developing constructive responses to the WTC tragedy.

Joel Meyerowitz

Tue., Sept. 19, 8 p.m. $6-$12, Philadelphia Free Library, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322

Just days after the towers met the ground, renowned New York street photographer Joel Meyerowitz hit the scene, risking arrest to document the devastation of Ground Zero. His haunting pictures eventually became Aftermath, a visceral archive of America's efforts to pick up the pieces. Meyerowitz will discuss his experience, present a slideshow and sign copies of his oversized book.

Reflections on 9/11: Five Years Later

Thu., Sept. 28, 5-8:15 p.m., $30-$70, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St., 215-561-4700, www.wacphila.org

Philadelphia's World Affairs Council has organized this panel event as a means for the public to gain an insider's perspective on 9/11. The schedule includes luminaries like former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, The Terrorism Index author Joseph Cirincione and Kristen Breitweiser, a former stay-at-home mom who was motivated to help establish the 9/11 Commission after losing her husband in the attacks.