September 11, 2012 marked the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed 2,996 people and injured thousands more at the World Trade Center towers in New York City, in Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. Memorial services were held at the sites and throughout the nation.
In a harshly divided election season, elected officials and those running for office put politics aside for the day to focus on the memory of those lost, and the feeling of togetherness the American people felt after the attacks.
The President and Mrs. Obama attended a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House where a bell tolled three times at 8:46 a.m. to commemorate the moment the first hijacked plane struck the North Tower in New York.
"Even now, all these years later, it is easy for those of us who lived through that day to close our eyes and to find ourselves back there and back here, back when grief crashed over us like an awful wave, when Americans everywhere held each other tight," Obama said.
After a moment of silence, they crossed the Potomac to place a wreath for the 184 killed at the Pentagon.
The Vice President spoke in Shanksville, Pa., where passengers overthrew hijackers to bring down the plane before it could reach its intended target, the U.S. Capitol building. Congressional leaders also gathered at the steps of the Capitol to commemorate those who prevented the attack from killing any more people.
Meanwhile, Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee for President addressed the National Guard Association's annual convention in Reno, Nev. with a commemorative message of his own.
"With less than two to go before Election Day, I would normally speak to a gathering like this about the differences between my and my opponent's plans for military and for our national security. There is a time and place for that. But this day is not that. It is instead a day to express gratitude to the men and women who fought and who are still fighting to protect us and our country," Romney said.
Quotes
"Even now, all these years later, it is easy for those of us who lived through that day to close our eyes and to find ourselves back there and back here, back when grief crashed over us like an awful wave, when Americans everywhere held each other tight." - President Barack Obama
"With less than two to go before Election Day, I would normally speak to a gathering like this about the differences between my and my opponent's plans for military and for our national security. There is a time and place for that. But this day is not that. It is instead a day to express gratitude to the men and women who fought and who are still fighting to protect us and our country." -Mitt Romney
Warm Up Questions
1. What happened on September 11th, 2001?
2. What is the group responsible for the 9/11 attacks?
3. What does “Ground Zero” refer to?
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think the attacks of 9/11 changed life in America? If so, how?
2. In your opinion, what is the best way to commemorate an event like 9/11?
3. Why do politicians reject politics during times like this?
Additional Resources
