Nation Pauses to Remember on 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

Obama: America does not give in to fear

Gary Hershorn / Reuters

The Associated Press and Reuters via MSNBC.com
September 11, 2011

WASHINGTON — Ten years after the nation was unified in horror, President Barack Obama honored the legacy of Sept. 11 victims on Sunday by personally tracing the trail of the terrorist attacks, proudly declaring that the decade since has proven “America does not give in to fear.”

At ground zero, Obama stood in solidarity with President George W. Bush right where hijacked airliners smashed into the twin World Trade Center towers in 2001. …

In a field in western Pennsylvania, Obama strolled along a marbled Wall of Names that stands in tribute to the 40 people who crashed in Shanksville after fighting back against the terrorists. …

In the rebuilt Pentagon just outside the nation’s capital, the symbol of U.S. military might attacked by terrorists that day, Obama placed a wreath at a memorial where each of 184 victims is remembered. …

And finally, back in Washington, after a day he chose to mark mainly by quiet presence, the president spoke of the pride of a nation. …

The Taliban marked the anniversary by vowing to keep fighting against U.S. forces in Afghanistan, insisting that they had no role in the Sept. 11 attacks. They railed against “American colonialism” and said Afghans have “endless stamina” for war.

Hours later, a Taliban suicide bomber blew up a large truck at the gate of a Combat Outpost Sayed Abad in Afghanistan’s eastern Wardak province, killing two civilians and injuring 77 U.S. troops. …

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The Tribute of Light shines above lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and One World Trade Center in New York. (Photo credit: Mark Lennihan / AP)

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

One Year Ago — September 11, 2010

9/11 — Nine Years After

One year ago today, I noted that on a day of mourning for nearly 3,000 September 11 victims on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attack of 9/11, President Barack Obama called for national unity as the ‘ground zero mosque’ and Quran-burning controversies threatened to overshadow memorial events.

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Two Years Ago — September 11, 2009

9/11 — Eight Years After

Two years ago today, on September 11, 2009, I commemorated the 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, noting that with the timetable set for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and the fighting in Afghanistan nearing its ninth year, war coverage had waned, often pushed off the front page by the economic recession, health care reform, and celebrity deaths.

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Three Years Ago — September 11, 2008

9/11 — Seven Years

Three years ago today, on September 11, 2008, I paid tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11.

Tribute to the Victims and Heroes of 9/11

Amazing Grace 9/11

America Grieves