Presidents and people commemorate - 15th September 2021

On Saturday, September 11th, the United States fell silent to commemorate 20 years since the 9/11 attacks. Ceremonies were held in New York, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, where the four hijacked passenger jets had crashed.

A single bell toll and a minute's silence marked the moment when each plane crashed and each of the twin towers collapsed.

Relatives read out the 2,977 names of those whose lives were taken that day. Given that over 40 percent of victims had no identifiable remains, memorial events carry an even greater importance, which President Biden underlined.

Joe Biden: "These memorials are really important. But they're also incredibly difficult for the people who were affected by them, because it brings back the moment you got the phone call, it brings back that instant you got the news, no matter how many years go by."

Mark Papadimitriou, who lost a close personal friend in the attacks, considers it vital that the memory of those who died that day lives on.

Mark Papadimitriou: "I have a friend that passed away. His wife was pregnant. So now I know that his daughter is, you know, now 19. And that marks a lifetime already. And so many people have the same story. So many families were disrupted. And we just need to let them know that all those people are not forgotten."

George W Bush was at the Flight 93 crash site in Pennsylvania to pay tribute to the victims of the attack. The former president reflected on the unity which bound the country together at that time.

George W Bush: "In the weeks and months following the 9/11 attacks, I was proud to lead an amazing, resilient, united people. When it comes to the unity of America, those days seem distant from our own.

While the death toll on 9/11 2001 numbered almost 3,000 people, 20 years later it's grown significantly. This is due to the dust, glass, particulates and chemicals created in the explosions, which many inhaled. The thousands now suffering lung problems and cancers continue to fight for recognition and support with their illnesses.