September 11th Quotes…
Though it still seems like yesterday to many, this year we commemorate the 22th anniversary of 9/11 and the four deadly attacks that claimed the lives of 2996 Americans on September 11, 2001.
The first of four attacks killed everyone on board American Airlines Flight 11 as it crashed into the North Tower. Just 17 minutes later, hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into the South Tower, killing all on board that flight as well. In total, 2606 people in the World Trade Center lost their lives.
Not only were both of the Twin Towers targeted, but a third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, hit the Pentagon a little under an hour later, killing 125. And fourth plane — United Airlines Flight 93 — crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, as crew and passengers struggled to wrestle control from the hijackers, again killing all on board.
Four planes. Nineteen hijackers. Two thousand nine hundred ninety-seven lives lost. A nation left shattered. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 22 years since the World Trade Center and Pentagon were hit by hijacked airplanes, and since passengers took down an airplane in a Pennsylvania field to foil the terrorists on board. Now, 9/11 is known as the National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Almost 3000 people died in what many call the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil, including 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and 55 military personnel — and the powerful 9/11 quotes below help us remember the tragic day Americans will never forget.
On the upcoming 22th anniversary of the September 11 tragedy, remember and reflect with these powerful 9/11 quotes.
September 11th Quotes
9/11 Quotes
“You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy.” — General Colin Powell
“No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” — Virgil’s Aeneid, which adorns the 9/11 Memorial Museum
“We will win this struggle—not for glory, nor wealth, nor power, but for justice, for freedom, and for peace… so help us God.” — Tom Harkin
“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” — Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl
“Remember the hours after Sept. 11 when we came together as one! It was the worst day we have ever seen, but it brought out the best in all of us.” — John Kerry
“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” — Harry S. Truman
“September 11, 2001, revealed heroism in ordinary people who might have gone through their lives never called upon to demonstrate the extent of their courage.” — Geraldine Brooks
September 11th Quotes 2023
“On September 11, I always take the day off. I want to be in a peaceful quiet place praying. It is a day I both mourn and celebrate.” — Genelle Guzman-McMillan, 9/11 Survivor
“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.” — Former President Barack Obama
“Numerous civilians in all stairwells, numerous burn victims are coming down. We’re trying to send them down first … We’re still heading up.” –New York City Fire Department Captain Patrick Brown.
“They’re all heroes in my eyes, they really are. They all pitched together and they did what they thought was the best thing to do at the time.” –Lisa Jefferson, an operator who took a call from Beamer
“September 11 is one of our worst days but it brought out the best in us. It unified us as a country and showed our charitable instincts and reminded us of what we stood for and stand for.” — Lamar Alexander
“For me and my family personally, September 11 was a reminder that life is fleeting, impermanent, and uncertain. Therefore, we must make use of every moment and nurture it with affection, tenderness, beauty, creativity, and laughter.” — Deepak Chopra
“Today, our nation saw evil — the very worst of human nature — and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.” –Then-President George W. Bush
“I still have the shoes I wore to work that day. The soles are melted and they’re caked in ash. I keep them in a shoebox with the word “deliverance” written all around it. They’re kind of like my ark, a reminder of God’s presence and the life I owe to him.”Stanley Praimnath, 9/11 survivor
“The lesson of 9/11 is that America is truly exceptional. We withstood the worst attack of our history, intended by our enemies to destroy us. Instead, it drew us closer and made us more united. Our love for freedom and one another has given us a strength that surprised even ourselves.” — Rudy Giuliani
“I was in New York on September 11 when those planes hit the World Trade Center. At the time, it seemed like it was a local thing. But three or four days later, by the time we drove across the country in the bus, we realized it wasn’t a local thing. You could really feel the states become united. We became the United States of America.” — John Madden
“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.” — George W. Bush
The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom.” — Rudy Giuliani
