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Scenes of 9/11 across the nation, world

The Tribute in Light showing two columns of light reaching into the night sky shines up from the Manhattan skyline.
The Tribute in Light shines up from Manhattan on Saturday in New York City.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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The were no clouds in New York’s sky on Saturday. Nearly the same blank blue as the morning of 9/11.

Twenty years on, against a backdrop of extraordinary political divisiveness, Americans this weekend marked the deadliest terrorist strike on U.S. soil with the austere tolling of bells, the soaring strains of “Amazing Grace” and the somber recitation of names of the dead.

The landmark anniversary prompted an outpouring of grief for the nearly 3,000 people killed Sept. 11, 2001, when four hijacked U.S. passenger planes were wielded — unfathomably, still — as weapons.

Three people stand together at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Family members grieve at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum on Saturday after the ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
(Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)
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The plane crashes at the World Trade Center; Shanksville, Pa.; and the Pentagon galvanized an outpouring of unity and solidarity in the United States. But two decades later, the anniversary showcased myriad ways in which the nation remains wounded, in large part from within, even as it celebrated heroism and resilience.

In groups big and small, Americans and people abroad filed quietly in by the thousands to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York, the Pentagon, the September 11 Memorial Garden in London, and a monument in Rome.

U.S. service members sit in chairs while a U.S. flag hangs from two cranes behind them
U.S. service members attend the Pentagon 9/11 observance ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Va.
(Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Current and former politcal leaders place their hands on their hearts and stand for the national anthem in New York City.
Former President Clinton, left, former First Lady Hillary Clinton, former President Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg’s partner, Diana Taylor, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer stand for the national anthem Saturday in New York City.
(Chip Somodevilla/AFP via Getty Images)

People across the globe sang out songs of American patriotism.

Flags encircling the Washington Monument are flown at half-staff
Flags encircling the Washington Monument are flown at half-staff on Saturday in Washington, D.C.
(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
A man and woman embrace at a garden
People embrace at the September 11 Memorial Garden at Grosvenor Square on Saturday in London. People across the U.K. paid their respects to the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks.
(Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
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The FDNY Pipes and Drums marches past people at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
The FDNY Pipes and Drums marches past invited guests and families during the FDNY Memorial Service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday in New York City.
(Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

343 American flags, representing firefighters who were killed on 9/11, were held during a processional along Fifth Avenue.

A National Park Service ranger stands in front of the Wall of Names.
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 on Saturday.
(Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Roses are placed in the name of Frank Spinelli carved into stone.
Roses are placed in the name of Frank Spinelli during a ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
(Anthony Behara/AFP via Getty Images)

Thousands of New Yorkers and visitors placed flowers, photographs and personal belongings on the names engraved into the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Two marble columns, which represent the twin towers of the World Trade Center, stand near people in uniform outdoors.
Two marble columns, which represent the twin towers of the World Trade Center, are seen during a ceremony Saturday in Rome to remember the lives lost.
(Stefano Montesi/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Flowers are left next to a picture on a bench.
Flowers are left next to a picture at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial during a wreath-laying ceremony Saturday at the Pentagon.
(Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Light bounces off of nearby buildings to light the edge of the north pool at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Light bounces off of nearby buildings to light the edge of the north pool Saturday at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Firefighters in dress uniform gather in lower Manhattan carrying flags.
Firefighters gather in lower Manhattan near ground zero in New York as the city commemorates the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
An American flag is unfurled from the roof of the Pentagon at sunrise.
An American flag is unfurled at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Saturday at sunrise.
(J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

As the day began, an American flag was draped over the site of impact at the Pentagon.

A person pays their respects amid wreaths amd candles at the September 11 Memorial Garden in London
A person pays their respects Saturday at the September 11 Memorial Garden at Grosvenor Square in London.
(Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
Several people in suits and dresses walk across a grassy field.
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attend a wreath-laying ceremony Saturday at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa.
(Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
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The One World Trade Center tower stands in a blue sky between other buildings.
The new One World Trade Center tower stands above other skyscrapers Saturday during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
(Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

Photo editing by Jacob Moscovitch.

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