The 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is being marked with a series of events, including an address by former Vice President Joe Biden. European leaders are also expected to make statements on the attacks.
President Joe Biden of the United States and leaders from many nations delivered remarks commemorating those who died 20 years ago in the worst terrorist assault in US history on September 11, 2001. On that day, 19 al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial aircraft and attacked several targets in New York City, Washington, D.C., and the Pennsylvania town of Shanksville. The Guardian reports on this.
Every year on September 11th, memorial services are held in New York, Pennsylvania, and on the outskirts of Washington. Family members of over 3,000 victims gathered in midtown Manhattan, at Shanksville Field, at the Pentagon, and at the 9/11 monument on the site where the World Trade Center twin buildings stood before collapsing when the hijacked aircraft crashed into each of them, according to USA Today.
The reading of the names of the victims of the World Trade Center assault lasted more than four hours on the internet. Six moments of silence were observed, one for each of the Twin Towers, the aircraft that slammed into the Pentagon, and the fourth plane that crashed.
Statements by European leaders
Joe Biden remembered the 2,977 people killed in the attack in a video statement issued on the eve of the anniversary. “We witnessed heroism everywhere in the days after 9/11, where it was anticipated and expected. We also saw something very unusual: a genuine feeling of national togetherness… Our greatest power in the fight for America’s soul is unity. That does not imply that we must all believe in the same thing; rather, it means that we must have basic respect for one another and for our country “President of the United States, George W. Bush, stated.
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom expressed her condolences to those who died or were injured in the assaults, and thanked all those who worked to restore normality after the tragedy. The assaults, according to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, did not shake the Western world’s confidence in freedom and democracy.
“Twenty years ago, the terrible acts of 9/11 altered the path of history.
We commemorate the victims, as well as the selfless sacrifices made by the countless individuals who hastened to assist following the assault. “The EU will remain a strong partner of the United States in the fight against terrorism and extremism in all of its forms,” said European Council President Charles Michel.
“The finest human characteristics may emerge even in the darkest, most trying times.”
“The EU stands with the United States in its fight for freedom and compassion against hate,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated.
On September 11th, we commemorate those who died and those who sacrificed all to assist them. The finest of human nature may show through even in the darkest, most difficult of times. The European Union joins the United States in supporting freedom and compassion above hatred. #September11
September 11, 2021 — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen)
“We grieve all those who died, and we empathize with those who lost loved ones or were severely wounded in the 9/11 attacks… We need to take a hard look at what occurred following 9/11. The recent events in Afghanistan have served as a stark reminder of this “Heico Maas, Germany’s Foreign Minister, said that the efforts of those who helped establish democracy in that nation remain important and valued.
“I am persuaded that we must continue to work in many ways for global peace and security. Staying on the sidelines is the worst thing we can do for our own security and interests. Part of the solution lies in restoring our alliance collaboration, and renewing our friendship and relationship with the United States, particularly on this day “Maas went on to say.
“Today marks the 20th anniversary of the heinous 9/11 terrorist strikes… Together with the US, we must continue to combat Islamist terror and radicalization “Sebastian Kurz, the Austrian Chancellor, stated.
In the chapel of the presidential palace, Poland’s president placed a wreath at the memorial plaque to those murdered in the assault. “These events altered the course of history… We remember September 11th, 2001 “In a statement, the presidential office stated.
“We will never forget,” French President Emmanuel Macron declared, “and we will always fight for freedom.”
DISCLAIMER: ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED
