President Barack Obama today led Americans in remembering the nearly 3,000 people perished in the world's deadliest terror strike by Al-Qaida eight years ago, saying the US will "never falter" in struggle against the terrorist organisation.
At exactly 8:46 am when the first plane hijacked by the terrorists hit the first twin tower of the World Trade Centre in down town Manhattan, Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama gathered with the White House staff on the South Lawn and observed a minute of silence to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
A bell rang three times then Obama and others bowed their heads for a minute. They placed their hands over their hearts while a bugler played taps.
On a rain-swept day, ceremonies were also being held in New York, at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field where a fourth plane crashed short of its target.
Later, speaking at the Pentagon, one of the sites of the attacks, Obama said the US "will never falter" in its pursuit of Al-Qaida and its allies.