NEW YORK, Sept. 11, 2008 — Today marks the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
In New York City, the names of victims are being read at the area known as “ground zero,” where the two World Trade Center towers once stood. Loved ones wept as they clutched photos of victims and tossed roses into a pool of water at the site.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed September 11, 2001 after hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field in the eastern state of Pennsylvania.
U.S. President George Bush led a moment of silence at the White House Thursday at the moment (8:46 a.m. EDT/1246 GMT) seven years ago when terrorists crashed the first of two passenger jets into the World Trade Center. The two 110-story buildings collapsed after the attacks.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg led a moment of silence in New York. Afterwards, he said lives were cut short and “our world was broken” on that day.
Mr. Bush will deliver remarks shortly at the unveiling of a memorial to honor the 184 people who died at the Pentagon. A lone bagpiper played and a chorus sang at the start of the ceremony.
U.S. presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama have agreed to put aside partisan campaigning Thursday. McCain spends the morning in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Obama’s campaign says the two candidates are to make a joint appearance at ground zero later in the day.
Earlier this week, a memorial honoring the victims of the terrorist attacks was dedicated at Boston’s Logan International Airport. The airport was the departure point of two of the hijacked flights.