Flag firefighters raised at ground zero returns to site

Shirley Dreifus, the original owner of the American flag, left, that firefighters hoisted at ground zero in the hours after the 9/11 terror attacks, speaks during an interview at the Sept. 11 museum, Thursday Sept. 8, 2016, in New York. After disappearing for more than a decade, the 3-foot-by-5-foot flag goes on display Thursday at the museum. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (The Associated Press)

Shirley Dreifus, center, the original owner of the American flag, left, that firefighters hoisted at ground zero in the hours after the 9/11 terror attacks, hold interviews at the Sept. 11 museum, Thursday Sept. 8, 2016, in New York. After disappearing for more than a decade, the 3-foot-by-5-foot flag goes on display Thursday at the museum. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (The Associated Press)

Visitors view the display for the American flag, left, that firefighters hoisted at ground zero in the hours after the 9/11 terror attacks, Thursday Sept. 8, 2016, at the Sept. 11 museum in New York. After disappearing for more than a decade the 3-foot-by 5-foot flag was donated to the museum after it was turned in two years ago by an as-yet-unidentified man at a firehouse in Everett, Wash. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (The Associated Press)

An American flag that firefighters hoisted at ground zero in the hours after the 9/11 terror attacks returns to the World Trade Center site after disappearing for more than a decade.

The 3-foot-by 5-foot flag goes on display Thursday at the Sept. 11 museum in New York.

It was the centerpiece of a photo that became a defining image of patriotic perseverance. The image shows three firefighters raising the flag over the rubble.

The flag was turned in two years ago by an as-yet-unidentified man at a firehouse in Everett, Washington.

Painstaking tests and examinations indicated it was indeed the same Star Spangled Banner.

The History Channel will air a documentary about the flag's recovery on Sunday, the 15th anniversary of the attacks.