September 11, 2001
Eight years ago today, America was stunned to see the skyline of Manhattan consumed in fire and smoke. Within hours, thousands of Americans had died not only in the World Trade Center buildings, but also in attacks on the Pentagon and at a crash site in a remote Pennsylvania field. In New York alone, several hundred firemen, police personnel, and Port Authority employees were killed. The terror of that day impacted millions of lives both domestic and overseas.
The ramifications of the attacks continue to define American foreign and domestic policies and extend to this moment in the shaping of our economic and defense strategies. The creation of the largest government agency, the Department of Homeland Security, was a direct result of the September 11th tragedy. Like December 7, 1941, the resonance of September 11, 2001, will be felt for generations, if not centuries.
Chandor / Oil on canvas, 1945 / National Portrait
Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
December 8, 1941
/Oil on canvas, 2008 / National Portrait Gallery,
Smithsonian Institution / Gift of American
Fidelity Foundation, J. Thomas and Stefanie
Atherton, William S. and Ann Atherton, Dr. Jon
C. and Jane G. Axton, Dr. Lee and Sherry Beasley,
Thomas A. Cellucci, A. James Clark, Richard H. Collins,
Edward and Kaye Cook, Don and Alice Dahlgren,
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Easton, Robert Edmund,
Robert and Nancy Payne Ellis, Dr. Tom and
Cheryl Hewett, Dr. Dodge and Lori Hill, Pete
and Shelley Kourtis, Tom and Judy Love, David
L. McCombs, Tom and Brenda McDaniel, Herman
and LaDonna Meinders, The Norick Family, Kenneth
and Gail Ochs, Robert and Sylvia Slater, Richard L.
Thurston, Lew and Myra Ward, Dr. James and Susan
Wendelken, Jim and Jill Williams
Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge—huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong.
George W. Bush
September 11, 2001
