Four of those mark the exact times four hijacked planes were crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon near Washington D.C., and a Pennsylvania field.
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The 15th anniversary comes with the United States in the midst of a divisive presidential campaign between Hillary Clinton, who was NY senator at the time of the attacks, and Manhattan tycoon Donald Trump.
Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are expected to visit Ground Zero on Sunday. “It is still and always will be one of our greatest strengths”, Obama said.
With solemn ceremonies and prayers, moments of silence and the ringing of bells, the nation on Sunday planned to mark the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of 2,977 victims and forever changed how the United States views itself and its place in the world.
The attacks widely believed to have been carried out by militant group Al-Qaeda under the leadership of Osama Bin Laden, had destroyed the then World Trade Centre as two planes crashed in the building.
In Washington, President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford addressed the families and friends of the 9/11 victims in a ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial.
He was due to attend the Dallas Cowboys home opener against the New York Giants, where he will take part in the ceremonial coin toss with two New York police officers who were at Ground Zero on 9/11.
“We are still the America that looks out for one another, bound by our shared belief that I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper”.
During the first moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower, houses of worship in NY have been asked to toll their bells.
Family members are coming forward to name and honor their relatives who died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on Flight 93.
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After the September 11 Commemoration Ceremony, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo will join more than 450 motorcycle riders participating in the 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride at a lunch in New York City.
