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

The anniversary was marked by several events across the country.

Last Updated: September 11, 2021, 12:44 PM 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.

Sep 11, 2021, 12:44 PM EDT

George W. Bush speaks at Shanksville, warns about domestic terrorism

Former President George W. Bush spoke at the Sept. 11 memorial at Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Flight 93 crashed after passengers fought with and overcame the hijackers.

Bush reflected on the bravery of those passengers amid the carnage taking place throughout the country.

"Here, the intended targets became the instruments of rescue, and many who are now alive owe a vast, unconscious debt to the defiance displayed  in the skies above this field," he said.

Former President George W. Bush speaks during a 9/11 commemoration at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., Sept. 11, 2021.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Bush spoke about the unity and heroism that took place in the days after the attacks, the sights of people grabbing another person's hand and "rally to the cause of one another."

He also warned about the still lingering threat of terrorism, both foreign and domestic.

Bush said there is "little cultural overlap between violent extremists abroad and violent extremists at home."

"They are children of the same foul spirit and it's our continuing duty to confront them," he said.

Bush also commended the country's veterans and armed service members who have served since the attacks.

"Nothing that has followed, nothing, can tarnish your honor or diminish your accomplishments. To you and the honored dead, our country is forever grateful," he said.

Sep 11, 2021, 1:16 PM EDT

NATO marks 20th anniversary with memorial ceremony

NATO marked the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on Saturday with a commemoration ceremony in Brussels.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was joined by the U.S. Mission to NATO's Chargé d'Affaires Douglas D. Jones at the ceremony.

A wreath was laid and those in attendance fell silent as they paid their respects to those who died in the attacks

-ABC News' Guy Davies

Sep 11, 2021, 10:35 AM EDT

6th, final moment of silence held

A sixth moment of silence was held at the World Trade Center memorial at 10:28 a.m. to mark the time when the North Tower collapsed.

A bell is rung during a moment of silence during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony in New York, Sep. 11, 2021.
Chip Somodevilla/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

It was the final moment of silence of the day's ceremonies.

After bells tolled, "Hamilton" actor Chris Jackson performed "Never Alone."

Sep 11, 2021, 10:08 AM EDT

5th moment of silence observed

A fifth moment of silence took place at 10:03 a.m., the time when Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought with and overcame the hijackers.

A National Park Service ranger stands in front of the Wall of Names at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa. before a Service of Remembrance, Sept. 11, 2021.
Gene J. Puskar/AP

Bells tolled at the memorial site near where the plane crashed as well as at the World Trade Center memorial.

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