370)this.width=370">Tears were unrelenting and silence swept through the air at Ground Zero, where nearly 3000 people lost their lives nine years ago in a dreadful terror attack.
Thousands of Americans turned up on the spot where once the majestic World Trade Centre towers stood tall to pay their respects to their beloved.
As he led them in remembering the victims of the 9/11 attacks, President Barack Obama reiterated that for the nation, this was a day of remembrance, a day of reflection, and a day of unity and renewal.
"They may seek to strike fear in us, but they are no match for our resilience. We do not succumb to fear, nor will we squander the optimism that has always defined us as a people. The perpetrators of this evil act didn't simply attack America; they attacked the very idea of America itself -- all that we stand for and represent in the world," he said.
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Image: Fire Fighter James Sorokac rings the bell at 8:46am, starting a moment of silence observing the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Centre, at the ninth anniversary remembrance of the attacks on New York and Washington, in New York
Photographs: Chip East/Reuters
370)this.width=370">Photographs: Chip East/Reuters
370)this.width=370">Photographs: Chip East/Reuters
370)this.width=370">The 'World Trade Centre flag' is the only remaining US flag recovered on site after the attacks.
Photographs: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters
370)this.width=370">Photographs: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters
370)this.width=370">Photographs: Larry Downing/Reuters
370)this.width=370">Photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
370)this.width=370">Photographs: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
370)this.width=370">Photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
370)this.width=370">Photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
