China News Service, September 12, reported that the United States solemnly commemorated the 20th anniversary of the "September 11" terrorist attack on the 11th. The terrorist attack that killed nearly 3,000 people was called the "darkest day in American history."
The original site of the New York World Trade Center and the attacked Pentagon all lit up blue light. US leaders including President Biden called for unity in this politically divided country. Former President George W. Bush called for vigilance against domestic terrorism in the United States.
Leaders of many countries paid tribute to the victims of "9.11" and called for continued combat against terrorism.
On September 8, local time, the rose on the stone platform with the names of the victims in the terrorist attack on the "9.11" World Trade Site in Ground Zero, New York, USA.
As the 20th anniversary of the "September 11" incident in the United States approached, the number of relatives and friends of the victims who came to express their grief gradually increased, and the grief gathered at the World Trade Site.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Liao Pan
The 20th Anniversary of the "9·11" Terrorist Attack
Biden runs three places a day, appealing for unity
September 11, local time, marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on September 11 in the United States, and the United States solemnly commemorates this moment of grief.
Twenty years ago, on September 11, terrorists hijacked 4 American Civil Aviation passenger planes. The first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York at 8:46 a.m., and the second plane crashed into the South Tower at 9:3 a.m. Building.
In addition, another plane crashed into a corner of the Pentagon in Washington, and one crashed in Pennsylvania. There were no survivors on the four passenger planes.
This series of terrorist attacks resulted in the deaths of about 3,000 people and caused hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses. It also changed the United States forever.
The United States held events to commemorate the victims at three attack locations on the 11th, including the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
On the 11th, Biden not only attended the memorial ceremony at the World Trade Plaza site in New York, but also went to the Pentagon and Pennsylvania to participate in memorial activities.
In the past 20 years, successive US presidents have often visited one of these three terrorist attack locations on the "September 11" anniversary, but it is not common for Biden to go to three locations in one day.
Biden did not speak publicly when he attended the commemoration.
However, he has released a video on the 10th, expressing condolences to the relatives of the victims, and emphasizing the spirit of national solidarity, saying that this is the greatest strength of the United States in the face of adversity.
He said: "For me, this (unity) is the core lesson of 9/11. In our most vulnerable time, in all our wandering and hesitating as human beings, and fighting for the soul of America, unity is our greatest The power of unity. Unity does not mean that we must believe in the same thing. We must have basic respect for each other and confidence in each other and this country."
Bush Jr: The days of unity in the United States are far away
Be wary of homegrown terrorism
When the "9.11" terrorist attacks occurred, Bush Jr. assumed the presidency of the United States.
On the anniversary of 20 years later, Bush Jr. attended the memorial ceremony again and reflected on the current situation in the United States.
At the flight 93 memorial ceremony held in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, former President George W. Bush paid tribute to the victims and called for national unity.
"In the weeks and months after the attack, I was proud to lead these amazing, resilient, and united people. When it comes to American unity, those days seem to be far away from us."
"The power of evil seems to be at work in our daily lives, turning every disagreement into an argument, and every argument into a cultural conflict. Many of our political activities openly appeal to anger, fear, and resentment. .This makes us worry about our country and our future.
Bush Jr. also warned that the United States is facing new domestic threats of terrorism.
"We are seeing more and more evidence that the danger facing our country not only comes from abroad, but from domestic violence."
Multinational leaders pay tribute to the victims of "9.11"
Call for continued combat against terrorism
As the United States commemorates the 20th anniversary of "9.11", leaders and heads of state from many countries around the world, including Queen Elizabeth II of England, paid tribute to the victims and survivors of this terrorist attack.
The Queen of England said in an email to US President Biden that she still remembers the experience of visiting the World Trade Center in 2010.
"This reminds me that while we pay tribute to the victims from different countries, beliefs and backgrounds, we also pay tribute to the resilient and determined people who have united to rebuild their homes." She said in a statement.
French President Macron posted a video of the American flag on Twitter with the caption: "We will never forget. We will always fight for freedom."
European Commission President Von der Lein also stated on Twitter that the EU "stands with the United States and defends freedom and compassion rather than hatred."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in also expressed his "deepest sympathy" to Biden and the Americans. He wrote on Twitter that South Korea will continue to support US efforts to combat terrorism.
Indian Prime Minister Modi also expressed his condolences through social media.
He said on Twitter that September 11 was a day in history that "attacked humanity" and "taught many things in the world."
Australian Prime Minister Morrison said in a blog post that the "September 11" incident was "a terrible human tragedy that brought great personal pain and grief to many people."
United Nations Secretary-General Guterres said in a statement: “Today we remember a dark day, which is deeply engraved in the minds of millions of people around the world. We stand in solidarity with the people of New York, the United States and all the people around the world. Victims of terrorism."