12 Sep 2021

In pictures: Biden leads nation's tributes as US honours 9/11 victims

4:05 pm on 12 September 2021

President Joe Biden has commemorated the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the US with visits to each of the sites where hijacked planes crashed in 2001, honouring the victims of the devastating assault.

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Scenes from the service at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York that marked 20 years since the attacks. Photo: AFP

In the first of his wordless tributes, Biden stood in sombre silence with former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at the New York City site where planes brought down the World Trade Centre's twin towers.

The Bidens then flew to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, before heading back to the Washington area to visit the Pentagon memorial.

"The core of who we are is not divided," Biden said on Saturday during a visit to a fire station after the Shanksville ceremony.

Former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg  on September 11, 2021 in New York City.

From left, former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama, US President Joe Biden, and First Lady Jill Biden and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg at the service in New York. Photo: 2021 Getty Images

Nearly 3000 people died in the attacks in New York, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, where passengers on United Flight 93 overcame the hijackers and the plane crashed in a field, preventing another target from being hit.

Here are some of the day's images as the US came together at sites across the country to remember all those who died.

A family member grieves at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York, on September 11, 2021.

A family member grieves during the service in New York. Photo: AFP

Julia Melendez, holds a photo of her husband Antonio, who died working at Windows on the World Restaurant, at the National 9/11 Memorial during the ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York, on September 11, 2021.

Julia Melendez holds a photo of her husband Antonio, who died working at Windows on the World Restaurant. Photo: AFP

Joe Walker, a man who lives in the neighborhood, wipes a tear from his face as he participates in the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center near the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York, on September 11, 2021.

Joe Walker, who lives in the neighbourhood, wipes a tear as he participates in the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York. Photo: AFP

A person holding a balloon and a picture visits the 9/11 Memorial on the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in Manhattan, New York on September 11, 2021.

A photo of a victim of the attacks. Photo: AFP

Julie Sweeney Roth, whose husband Brian Sweeney Roth died when United Airlines flight 175 hit the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, touches his name at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2021 in New York City.

Julie Sweeney Roth, whose husband Brian Sweeney Roth died when United Airlines flight 175 hit the World Trade Centreon September 11, 2001 touches his name at the memorial site. Photo: 2021 Getty Images via AFP

Firefighters take part in a moment of silence on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, on September 11, 2021.

Firefighters attend the service in New York. Photo: AFP

Memorial des attentats du 11 Septembre 2001les noms des victimes.
World Trade Center site. Manhattan, quartier des affaires, New York, USA, Septembre 2019.

The memorial site with all the names of the victims of the attacks engraved. Photo: AFP

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Two women embrace during a ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum commemorating the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2021 in New York City.

Two women during the ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum commemoration. Photo: 2021 Getty Images

Former US President George W Bush pauses as he speaks during a 9/11 commemoration at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on 11 September 2021.

Former US president George W Bush at a 9/11 commemoration in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Photo: AFP

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 11: U.S. service members attend the Pentagon 9/11 observance ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on September 11, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia.

US service members attend the Pentagon 9/11 observance ceremony in Arlington, Virginia. Photo: 2021 Getty Images

A firefighter wearing the photo badge of a victim on his helmet, pauses for a moment of silence on September 11, 2021 in  Morrison, outside Denver, Colorado.

A firefighter wearing the photo badge of a victim on his helmet, pauses for a moment of silence at a memorial service in Morrison, outside Denver, Colorado. Photo: AFP

Firefighters in full gear pause for a moment of silence as they participate with first responders, victim's family members and supporters in Colorado

Firefighters at the same service in Colorado. Photo: AFP

A US flag is held on the court ahead of the 2021 US Open Tennis tournament women's final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, on September 11, 2021,

The US flag is held on court at Flushing Meadow in New York before the start of the women's tennis final. Photo: AFP

- Reuters

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