Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC Holds First COVID-19 Day Of Remembrance With Touching Brooklyn Bridge Tribute
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 15, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
NYC Mayor's Office
View all 19
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 15, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The city held its first COVID-19 Day of Remembrance on Sunday night, projecting on to the Brooklyn Bridge the images of some of the 30,000 New Yorkers who have died of the coronavirus.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Imam Abdul Azezz, and other made remarks, and the New York Philharmonic performed "Dectect" by Michael Kamen during the moving ceremony.
"Shoulder to shoulder, one for another, we will bring our city back together," said de Blasio. "The people walking around today, they carry the hearts of those we've lost with them. The moms, the dads, the grandparents, all that was great about them, all that was warm, their souls continue on in their sons and daughters and then their grandchildren. And so, it is to all of us to do something very simple, very beautiful, very powerful. It is time to make them proud."
The first COVID-19 death was noted on March 14th, 2020, when an 82-year-old woman passed away.
Uptown, at Lincoln Center, candles were lit around the fountain to represent those lost to the virus.
Lincoln Center illuminated its fountain to remember the 30,000 New Yorkers who died during the pandemic on March 14, 2021
Sachyn Mital for Lincoln Center
Earlier in the day, the cultural institution share of video of members of the Young People's Chorus of New York City singing "You'll Never Walk Alone."
Tagged
COVID-19
pandemic
coronavirus
lincoln center
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 7:42 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 27, 2026 at 11:14 p.m. ET
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
News
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
Police arrest man in Queens stabbings that ended with officer shooting woman
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .