9/11 20 years updates: Tribute in Light shines at end of anniversary

The anniversary was marked by several events across the country.

ByIvan Pereira and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: September 13, 2021, 6:54 AM EDT

Saturday marks 20 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Hijackers crashed two commercial airliners into the World Trade Center, striking the north tower at 8:46 a.m. followed by the south tower at 9:03 a.m. At 9:37 a.m., a third hijacked airline crashed into the Pentagon.

Twenty-two minutes later, the World Trade Center's south tower collapsed. A fourth hijacked plane crashed into a field in rural Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at 10:03 a.m. after passengers fought with and overcame the hijackers.

At 10:28 a.m. the World trade Center's north tower collapsed.

In total, 2,977 people were killed, including many New York City first responders.

A US Flag adorns a name at the National September 11 Memorial site of the north tower at World Trade Center in New York, Sept. 8, 2021.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

The anniversary will be marked by several events across the country, including the annual commemoration at the World Trade Center Memorial in downtown Manhattan.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news was developing. All times Eastern.
Sep 11, 2021, 9:36 AM EDT

World leaders send their condolences on 20th anniversary

Leaders from around the world shared their reflections and condolences on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Queen Elizabeth said in a statement she was still moved by the unity shown by the world during such a tragic time.

"It reminds me that as we honour those from many nations, faiths and backgrounds who lost their lives, we also pay tribute to the resilience and determination of the communities who joined together to rebuild," she said in a statement.

The U.S. national anthem played at the changing of the guard at Windsor Castle.

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union Commission, tweeted, "The EU stands with the USA in defending freedom & compassion over hate."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres issued a statement honoring first responders and that his "thoughts are with the victims and their families."

-ABC News' Guy Davies

Sep 11, 2021, 9:29 AM EDT

Bruce Springsteen performs solemn tribute

Bruce Springsteen performed following the second moment of silence at the World Trade Center memorial service.

Bruce Springsteen performs in a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, New York, Sept. 11, 2021.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

His song "I'll See you in My Dreams," was dedicated to all of the lives lost that day.

Sep 11, 2021, 9:12 AM EDT

2nd moment of silence held

A second moment of silence was held at 9:03 a.m. to mark the time the south tower was hit.

A bell tolled at the World Trade Center memorial as well as other locations across the country.

Sep 11, 2021, 9:04 AM EDT

Families begin reading of names lost at World Trade Center

The families of the World Trade Center victims began their readings of the lives lost on Sept. 11.

Mike Low, whose daughter Sara was a flight attendant on Flight 11, spoke before the readings began. While he said his family's pain is still raw, they have found comfort in the community and outpouring of support from all over the world.

"As we recite the names we lost my memory goes back to that terrible day when it felt like an evil specter descended on our world, but it was also a time when people went above and beyond the ordinary," Low said.

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