Officer Chris Amoroso Helping a Woman to Safety From the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001

Chris Amoroso was 29 years old and had been with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD) for about a year at the time of the attacks. He was known as a devoted husband to his wife, Jamie, and a dedicated officer. He had been working at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan but responded to the World Trade Center when the attacks began.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, after the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center, Amoroso rushed to the scene to assist with the rescue efforts. A now-iconic photograph captured him helping an injured woman, her face covered in soot and blood, away from the collapsing buildings. That photo came to symbolize the selfless bravery of first responders that day.

(Photo by © Todd Maisel)

After leading the woman to safety, Amoroso refused to stop. He returned to the towers to help evacuate more people, showing extraordinary courage in the face of escalating danger. He was last seen going back into the South Tower shortly before it collapsed at 9:59 a.m. Amoroso was one of 37 Port Authority police officers who were killed in the attacks, the largest loss of life in a single day in U.S. law enforcement history.

Chris Amoroso’s bravery and sacrifice have been widely honored. His name is inscribed at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City. He is remembered not only as a hero of 9/11 but also as a symbol of the countless acts of courage and humanity displayed by first responders that day.

50 Photographs Depict the Aftermath of the September 11th Attacks at Ground Zero in New York City

The World Trade Center, in Lower Manhattan, New York City, was destroyed after a series of terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, killing almost 3,000 people at the site. Two commercial airliners hijacked by al-Qaeda members were deliberately flown into the Twin Towers of the complex, engulfing the struck floors of the towers in large fires that eventually resulted in a total progressive collapse of both skyscrapers, at the time the third and fourth tallest buildings in the world. It was the deadliest and costliest building collapse in history.

The North Tower (WTC 1) was the first building to be hit when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into it at 8:46 a.m., causing it to collapse at 10:28 a.m. after burning for one hour and 42 minutes. At 9:03 a.m., the South Tower (WTC 2) was struck by United Airlines Flight 175; it collapsed at 9:59 a.m. after burning for 56 minutes.

The towers’ destruction caused major devastation throughout Lower Manhattan, as more than a dozen adjacent and nearby structures were damaged or destroyed by debris from the plane impacts or the collapses. Four of the five remaining World Trade Center structures were immediately crushed or damaged beyond repair as the towers fell, while 7 World Trade Center remained standing for another six hours until fires ignited by raining debris from the North Tower brought it down at 5:21 p.m. the same day.

The hijackings, crashes, fires, and subsequent collapses killed an initial total of 2,760 people. Toxic powder from the destroyed towers was dispersed throughout the city and gave rise to numerous long-term health effects that continue to plague many who were in the towers’ vicinity, with at least three additional deaths reported. The 110-story towers are the tallest freestanding structures ever to be destroyed, and the death toll from the attack on the North Tower represents the deadliest single terrorist act in world history.

In 2005, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published the results of its investigation into the collapse. It found nothing substandard in the towers’ design, noting that the severity of the attacks was beyond anything experienced by buildings in the past. The NIST determined the fires to be the main cause of the collapses; the plane crashes and explosions damaged much of the fire insulation in the point of impact, causing temperatures to surge to the point the towers’ steel structures were severely weakened. As a result, sagging floors pulled inward on the perimeter columns, causing them to bow and then buckle. Once the upper section of the building began to move downward, a total progressive collapse was unavoidable.

The cleanup of the World Trade Center site involved round-the-clock operations and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Some of the surrounding structures that had not been hit by the planes still sustained significant damage, requiring them to be torn down. Demolition of the surrounding damaged buildings continued even as new construction proceeded on the Twin Towers’ replacement, the new One World Trade Center, which opened in 2014.

See more»

The Story Behind TIME’s September 11 Cover by Lyle Owerko

TIME magazine’s 9/11 cover, photographed by Lyle Owerko, is one of the most haunting and enduring images of September 11, 2001. The cover image TIME chose is a photograph of the second plane, United Airlines Flight 175, just before it struck the South Tower at 9:03 a.m.

TIME’s original 9/11 cover photographed by Lyle Owerko, on September 11, 2001.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, photographer Lyle Owerko was in his Tribeca apartment in New York City when he heard the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Jet-lagged from a recent trip to Africa, he grabbed his camera bag, which still contained a 400mm telephoto lens, and ran out to the street. He went to Vesey and Church streets, positioning himself with the sun at his back to get a clear shot of the two towers—one smoking and the other seemingly untouched.

“There was a lull for a few minutes,” Owerko remembered. “The reason I went to Vesey and Church streets was that it put the sun at my back and I was able to compose a story of the two towers – one that was obfuscated and one with no marring on it and at that point I thought: ‘There’s your cover.’ The one tower that’s smoking and the one that’s stoic and defiant.”

He was photographing the scene when the second plane, United Airlines Flight 175, began to approach the South Tower. He noted its “predatory” movement and, with his Fuji 645zi medium format camera, he waited until the moment of impact. He captured the iconic shot just as the plane hit the building, creating a massive fireball of heat and debris.

“I heard the sound of this jet,” Owerko said, “and I thought it was air traffic being redirected. I saw it off in the distance. The plane did this little shoulder shrug where it dipped its wing and when I saw it arc, then I knew its intention. It was a very predatory move and having just spent a month in Africa it was like watching a cheetah going into stalk mode.”

In that horrific moment, Owerko shot two frames. “I waited until it hit,” he said, “and when it hit I had no idea, but I thought something would occur. And when it hit, again it made this incredible beyond movie theatre sound. And then nothing happened for a second until this fireball of heat and debris erupted out of the backside of the building and that’s when I caught the cover shot.”

A split second later, he was composing the second shot. “And then the debris started raining down on us,” he said. “I put my hands over my head as airplane parts and building parts started scattering around the police officers, the bystanders, and me. There were screams and an eruption of people’s voices in shock.”

Now, Owerko can still conjure up that moment. “It’s like every synapse in my body was firing,” he said. “It was all beyond belief. It was like standing in the middle of a three dimensional Hollywood film.”

Three consecutive frames of the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11 shot by Lyle Owerko.

After taking the photos, Owerko walked to a nearby lab to get his images processed. The lab owner told him, “You have the cover of TIME magazine.” By early afternoon, the pictures were on the desk of TIME’s director of photography, MaryAnne Golon, who immediately recognized the shot as the one they needed for the cover.

The resulting TIME cover was unique. It was the first time since 1927 that the magazine’s traditional red border was changed; for the 9/11 issue, it was changed to a black border to reflect the solemnity of the event. Owerko’s photo, a “witness image,” as he calls it, has since been recognized as one of the most important magazine covers of the last 40 years by the American Society of Magazine Editors.

In the years since 9/11, Owerko has continued his photography career but has shifted focus to more uplifting subjects. He says, “I’ve already photographed humanity at one of its darkest moments, so why not seek out moments of light? That’s what I do now.”

Rare Aerial Photos of 9/11 Attacks in New York City as Seen From Other Planes

The September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City were not only witnessed on the ground, but also by pilots and passengers in other planes flying near the city that morning.

Many commercial flights approaching or departing from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark had clear views of Lower Manhattan. Pilots reported seeing smoke trailing from the North Tower after Flight 11 struck at 8:46 a.m. By the time Flight 175 hit the South Tower at 9:03 a.m., several aircraft in the holding patterns near New York’s busy airspace witnessed the explosion and relayed what they saw to air traffic controllers.

The smoke column from the Twin Towers could be seen as far as 50 miles away, so nearly every plane over New Jersey, Long Island, or descending into NYC airspace had a view.

Some aerial photographs of the attacks taken by passenger Steve Schwardon while on a Delta Airlines flight, which landed in Providence, Rhode Island. He recalled:

“On September the 11th, I was on final approach to Laguardia on a Delta flight from Orlando when my friend noticed smoke coming from the Manhattan skyline. As we approached, we quickly realized that smoke was coming from each of the World Trade Center towers. This was a gut-wrenching, terrible feeling, knowing there was no logical reason for each tower to be on fire unless some act of terrorism had taken place. 

“Everybody on the half-empty flight began to speculate. The captain came on the cabin speakers and acknowledged that something was happening at the World Trade Center, and that we were being rerouted to Boston. 

“At some point I heard another passenger who had called someone on the Airfone say that planes had hit the towers, and that the Pentagon had been hit as well. The captain came on again and said we were being rerouted again, now to Providence. It seemed like we were on the ground in seconds.”

As U.S. airspace shut down at 9:45 a.m., hundreds of flights were ordered to land immediately. Many passengers later recalled seeing the towers burning or collapsing from their windows before their planes diverted.

Rare and Haunting Photos Inside the North Tower Several Minutes After the First Attack on September 11, 2001

Rare photos taken by John Labriola of office workers escaping from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Firefighters can be seen ascending the stairs. Labriola worked on the 71st floor of World Trade Center Tower One as an independent contractor with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He got out safely.

On the morning of 9/11, Labriola had a business meeting scheduled at the World Trade Center. He was in the North Tower when the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the building. As chaos erupted, he began to document what he was seeing with his camera.

His photographs are particularly notable because they are among the very few, if not the only, photos taken from inside the World Trade Center after the attacks began. The images capture the surreal and terrifying scene in the lobby and mezzanine levels of the tower. They show the aftermath of the plane’s impact, with debris, smoke, and destruction filling the once-pristine building.

His collection includes a haunting image of a firefighter, Mike Kehoe, making his way up the stairs of the North Tower. This specific photograph has become one of the iconic images of that day, representing the immense bravery and sacrifice of the first responders who rushed into the burning buildings.

Labriola’s photographs and his personal story of survival were later published in his book, Walking Forward, Looking Back: Lessons from the World Trade Center: A Survivor’s Story. The book presents all 110 of the photographs he took on 9/11 and offers a powerful and unique perspective on the tragedy.

See more»

The Story Behind the Last Known Photograph of Ladder 118 as It Crosses the Brooklyn Bridge on Sept. 11, 2001

On September 11, 2001, Aaron McLamb had just arrived at his workplace near the Brooklyn Bridge when the first airplane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Eighteen minutes later, he watched in shock from his 10th-floor window as the second plane tore into the South Tower.

The 20-year-old ran for his camera to capture a devastating moment in American history. “It was almost surreal being that high up looking at everything going on down below.” he told New York Daily News. “You couldn’t hear the crackling of the fire or the creaking of the buildings. The only thing we could hear were the sirens from the fire trucks going across the bridge.” He then snapped an unforgettable photograph of the Ladder 118 fire truck speeding to its death, with the Twin Towers smoking in the background.

The photo Aaron McLamb took of Ladder 118 racing toward the Twin Towers.

It’s estimated that within 30 minutes of this photo, everyone aboard ladder 118 was killed when one of the towers fell with all 6 fire fighters in the stair case. Ladder 118 was one of the fire trucks that responded to the disaster that followed the deadly attack.

After the second plane crashed into the South Tower, firefighters Vernon Cherry, Leon Smith, Joey Agnello, Robert Regan, Pete Vega, and Scott Davidson left the Brooklyn Heights fire hall and were on their way.

Once they arrived, the six men from Ladder 118 ran deeper into the carnage and landed at the Marriott World Trade Center Hotel, which shattered around them when the 110-storey towers collapsed. Survivors remembered seeing the heroes with the number 118 on their helmets running up the stairs to help guests.

They were never seen alive again.

Bobby Graff, a former elevator mechanic at the hotel said, “They knew what was going on, and they went down with their ship.” Referencing the hundreds of guests and Marriott employees that survived, he continued. “They weren’t going to leave until everyone got out. They must have saved a couple hundred people that day. I know they saved my life.”

Days later, Graff spoke with the members of the station and explained how the brave team refused to leave until they safely evacuated the building.

Retired firefighter John Sorrentino shared, “They heard the rumble of the tower coming down and Graff, everyone just started running. After the smoke cleared [Graff] was in a spot where he survived and everyone else died.” Sorrentino continued, “[Graff] could see the look on the guys faces from 118, that they knew that this was going to end bad, but they weren’t leaving because they wanted to get as many people out safely that they could. And that’s how we found out what Ladder 118 did that day.”

Some of the men from Ladder 118 were found within a few feet of each other, and others were found days or weeks later. The truck, that was last seen charging across the bridge to the site, was a mangled wreck of steel and glass and recovered within days of the attack.

Two months later, firefighters digging through the rubble found tools engraved with the Ladder 118 logo.

The team of Ladder 118 are six of 343 firefighters who died in 9/11, a number that represented almost half the number of “on-duty deaths in the New York City Fire Department’s entire 100-year history.”

Aaron always dreamed of being a fireman when he was young, and he knew the Middagh St. firehouse and admired its trucks. In fact, when he took the photo of Ladder 118 during the September 11 attack, he was eagerly waiting to see the truck cross the bridge.

He even told a colleague, “here comes the 118.” So, he was happy to capture a picture of the rig, not knowing the crew members would not be making it back from the disaster they were rushing to help resolve.

Aaron soon developed the photo of Ladder 118 during the September 11 attack and took it to the firehouse, where the firefighters immediately recognized Ladder 118. They studied it with a magnifying glass to confirm if the truck on the Brooklyn Bridge was indeed Ladder 118. It did not take long for them to verify that it was after noticing the orange stokes basket, which was upside down, and a saw box that jutted out. These were all Ladder 118 trademarks.

One of the firefighters recalls how chilling the experience was. Aaron passed the photo to New York Daily News, and they published it on their front page.

New York Daily News front page dedicated to Ladder 118. Dated Oct. 5, 2001.

For that reason, the photo of Ladder 118 during the September 11 attack is now seen as a proud symbol of patriotism during the terrifying tragedy.

Off Duty FDNY Firefighter Tim Duffy Rode His Harley Davidson Through Traffic and Chaos on 9/11 to Reach Ground Zero

On September 11, 2001, FDNY Firefighter Tim Duffy, though off duty, raced into the heart of the chaos on his 2000 Harley-Davidson Super Glide Sport — grabbing his gear from the firehouse and riding through a dust-choked Manhattan street to reach Ground Zero. The image, taken moments after the first tower fell, freezes a surreal moment as he cuts through debris and paper in a haze of destruction.

Shortly after arriving and while helping others to safety, Duffy was buried under rubble when the North Tower collapsed. Remarkably, he survived the collapse and continued his rescue efforts despite the choking dust and chaos.

Duffy’s Harley-Davidson also survived the day. He still rides it to this day and has used it for fundraising and charitable work, including for a charity he founded called “1 Soldier, 1 Dog, 1 Team,” which pairs shelter dogs with veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD.

The story and the image of Tim Duffy on his motorcycle have been featured in various media, including at a 9/11 ceremony at the Harley-Davidson Museum, where it was highlighted as a perfect illustration of the heroic attitude of first responders.

On the Night of September 10, 2001...

246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their next shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift of saving lives and 1 K9 went to bed a good boy.

None of them saw past 10:00 am the next morning Sept 11, 2001. In the blink of an eye, their lives were cut short.

Tonight, as you prepare for bed in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.

Michael Hingson and His Guide Dog Roselle, and Their Escape From the North Tower on 9/11

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Michael Hingson sat in his office on the 78th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower, accompanied by Roselle, his devoted guide dog. Suddenly, a deafening explosion shook the building, and flames and debris became visible through the windows. The urgency to evacuate was immediate.

Blind since birth, Michael had spent years memorizing the building’s layout and emergency procedures. Trusting Roselle completely, he began the descent down more than 1,460 stairs through smoke-filled hallways thick with the smell of jet fuel. Along the way, frightened coworkers joined them, some frozen by fear. Near the 50th floor, when panic threatened to take over, Michael’s calm voice and Roselle’s steady guidance helped keep the group moving safely.

Upon reaching the lobby, they were warned of falling debris and bodies outside. Acting quickly, Michael and his companions moved through a nearby building and eventually found relative safety in a subway station, the rumble of the collapsing towers echoing above them. Throughout the evacuation, Roselle’s keen instincts kept Michael from danger, refusing to move forward until it was safe, saving lives with each step. Hingson later said, “While everyone ran in panic, Roselle remained totally focused on her job, while debris fell around us, and even hit us, Roselle stayed calm.”

After the attacks, Hingson changed careers from a computer salesman to working for the Guide Dogs for the Blind as Public Affairs Director. Hingson and Roselle appeared on numerous television shows including Larry King Live, the CBS Morning Show and Regis and Kelly. They also appeared on a float during the 2002 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA.

In 2004, Roselle was diagnosed with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, but medications were able to control the condition. In March 2007 she retired from guiding after it was discovered that the medication was beginning to damage her kidneys. She continued to live with Hingson, who was assigned a new guide dog, Africa.

On June 24, 2011, Hingson suspected that something was wrong with Roselle and took her to her local vet, who diagnosed her with a stomach ulcer. Roselle died two days later on June 26, at 8:52 pm. In her memory, Hingson and Susy Flory wrote a book of his 9/11 experience entitled Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero which became a New York Times Bestseller. Michael and Karen Hingson subsequently set up Roselle’s Dream Foundation, a  charitable foundation to raise money to help vision-impaired people engage more fully in everyday life.

Photos Taken by David Swenson on the Morning of September 11, 2001

David Swenson, who worked in a data center in New York City, was taking weekly time-lapse photos of a new building under construction across the street. He used the Twin Towers to frame his shots, providing a consistent reference point.

On the morning of September 11, he was taking one of these regular photos when he witnessed the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, crash into the North Tower. He captured this moment and continued to document the unfolding tragedy, including the impact of the second plane, United Airlines Flight 175, into the South Tower, as well as the collapses of both towers. His photographs – taken from 499 Washington Boulevard in Jersey City, directly across the Hudson River facing the World Trade Center – provide a unique perspective on the attacks, showing the progression of events from a nearby vantage point.

“Tuesday morning at 8:45am I was in our data center taking pictures of our new building going up across the street,” said Swenson. “I had been taking a few pictures each week, using the Twin Towers to frame/align all the shots evenly so I could later make a time lapse video of the new 30 story building’s construction.”

“After taking the shot I see a large plane flying south right over the Hudson River. For a moment I thought what a great shot I’m about to get, then American Airlines Flight 11 suddenly rolls into a left bank of about 40 degrees. The impact came about a second later, and I can’t believe what I’m seeing. After shooting a few more pics I run to the hall where I meet up with a few of the building engineers and we head up to the roof for a better view. The scene is surreal, and after watching United Flight 175 circle around and fly into the South Tower everyone began to realize we were under attack. We kept looking around for the next plane and my knees began to go weak. I will never EVER forget that image of American Airlines 11 rolling left and striking the North Tower. To this day, I’m still somewhat startled when looking up at a plane overhead.”

See more»

On September 11, 2001, Actor Steve Buscemi Returned to His Old Job as a NYC Firefighter to Hunt for Survivors

On September 11, 2001, Steve Buscemi – the US actor known for his depictions of gangsters and weirdos in shows such as The Sopranos and The Big Lebowski – returned to his old job as a New York City firefighter. He worked 12-hour shifts for several days alongside other firefighters, searching for survivors in the rubble of the World Trade Center.

Steve Buscemi, pictured on the far left, joined the New York firefighters after 9/11.

Buscemi had taken the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) civil service test when he was 18 and used to work as a FDNY firefighter in downtown Manhattan in the 1980s.

He later left the service to become an actor but has remained in touch with New York firefighter causes. He is often seen speaking at union rallie. In 2014, he produced and hosted a documentary called “A Good Job: Stories of the FDNY,” which provides an in-depth look at the life and challenges of New York City firefighters.

The actor on duty in the early 1980s.

At the time, he said of his efforts during the rescue: “It was a privilege to be able to do it. It was great to connect with the firehouse I used to work with and with some of the guys I worked alongside. And it was enormously helpful for me because while I was working, I didn’t really think about it as much, feel it as much.”

Very few photos exist of Buscemi working tirelessly at the World Trade Center as he wasn’t there for publicity. When people tried to snap photos or interview him, he outright refused. There is little photographic evidence, though the picture below purports to be him.

Buscemi has used his platform to draw attention to the health struggles many first responders have faced following 9/11, including respiratory problems and cancers.

He is a board member of Friends of Firefighters, an organization dedicated to supporting active and retired FDNY firefighters and their families.

The FDNY honored Buscemi with a special commendation for his service during the aftermath of 9/11, recognizing his contributions and volunteer work.

Of the nearly 3,000 victims killed in the 9/11 attacks, 343 were firefighters. Tragically, there were 75 firehouses in which at least one member was killed, and the FDNY also lost its department chief, and first deputy commissioner.

The Iconic Photo of Marcy Borders, Who Came to Be Known as the “Dust Lady”, on 9/11

Pictured here is Marcy Borders, an American legal assistant who worked for Bank of America at its World Trade Center branch. She was born on July 19, 1973, and tragically passed away on August 24, 2015. Borders survived the harrowing events of September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center was attacked by al-Qaeda.

This photo from Sept. 11, 2001, shows Marcy Borders covered in dust as she takes refuge in an office building after one of the World Trade Center towers collapsed in New York. Borders was caught outside on the street as the cloud of smoke and dust enveloped the area. (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)

Photographer Stan Honda captured an iconic image of her that day, earning her the nickname “Dust Lady.” Reflecting on his photograph’s legacy, Honda said, “Over the years, it has been strange for me to think that my photo has a lasting impact. I never imagined I’d have an image like that. I believe people relate to it because it depicts a single person trying to cope with the chaos of that fateful day.”

“There was a giant roar, like a train, and between the buildings I could see huge clouds of smoke and dust billowing out,” Honda recounted years later.

Marcy Borders sits with Stan Honda in 2002, the photographer who took the haunting image of her.

He ducked into a building lobby, where “a police officer was pulling people into the entrance to get them out of the danger.”

“A woman came in completely covered in gray dust,” Honda recalled in 2011. “You could tell she was nicely dressed for work and for a second she stood in the lobby. I took one shot of her before the police officer started to direct people up a set of stairs, thinking it would be safer off the ground level.”

Marcy Borders holds her iconic picture.

Marcy Borders’ life spiraled downward in the years ­after the attacks, as she battled severe depression and became addicted to crack cocaine.

“I didn’t do a day’s work in nearly 10 years and by 2011 I was a complete mess,” she told The New York Post in 2011. ­“Every time I saw an aircraft, I panicked.”

Marcy Borders at home in Bayonne, New Jersey, next to never cleaned, dust covered clothes that she wore on September 11.

Borders lost custody of her two kids and checked into rehab in April 2011. She got sober and eventually ­regained custody.

In an interview with The Jersey Journal, she revealed she’d recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer and was scheduled to have surgery, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. With the trade center ever on her mind, Borders wondered if her illness could be related to what she endured on September 11.

In this Nov. 26, 2014 photo, Marcy Borders shows her shaved head, the result of in her chemotherapy treatment for stomach cancer, at her home in Bayonne, N.J. Borders. She died on Aug. 24, 2015 after a battle with stomach cancer. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal via AP)

“I’m saying to myself, ‘Did this thing ignite cancer cells in me?’ ” she told the newspaper. “I definitely believe it ­because I haven’t had any illnesses. I don’t have high blood pressure . . . high cholesterol, diabetes.”

Marcy Borders lost her battle with cancer and passed away on August 24, 2015.

Candid Photographs Taken of People During the Terrorist Attack on September 11, 2001

The terror assault of September 11, 2001, in which nearly 3,000 perished, was the most widely viewed breaking-news event in human history. And as the horrors unfolded, thousands of bystanders, professional photographers, and TV-news crews took tens of thousands of images and filled untold hours of videotape. On television alone, the scenes were witnessed that day by an estimated two billion people—a third of the human race.

These candid photographs captured the scenes around and far away from the burning Towers.

See more»