The 9/11 timeline of events has been remember for eight years now. But the 9/11 timeline of events always gets more press on 9/11 itself. The timeline of events are unforgettable, even if the 9/11 events don’t get talked about as much anymore. But at this time eight years ago, America was in the full throes of panic and despair, as the Twin Towers both went down by noon, and no one knew if the worst of 9/11 was over yet. Eight years later, the 9/11 timeline of events is remembered with more measured ceremonies and several moments of silence, before talk goes back to health care and the economy.
As per the 9/11 timeline of events, the first moment of silence today at Ground Zero took place at 8:46 pm est, when the first plane struck the World Trade Center. Afterward, the next moment of silence took place on 9:03, when the second plane hit and everyone started to realize that none of this was an accident.
As usual, the 9/11 ceremonies involved reading the names of the dead at Ground Zero, with Vice President Biden in attendance. President Obama had his own moment of silence south of the White House, before giving a speech at the Pentagon, where a hijacked plane struck minutes after the second plane crashed into the Twin Towers.
The 9/11 timeline of events is also remembered for the fate of Flight 93, which crashed into a field in Pennsylvania instead of at a high level target, thanks to the passengers on board. Moments of silence and ceremonies are being held in Shanksville, PA as well, where United 93 crashed.
The eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is an almost fitting one. 9/11 happened during the first year of a new Presidency, and the eighth anniversary is on the first year of President Obama’s administration- which puts his difficulty this year in perspective.
At this time eight years ago, the 9/11 timeline of events already had both towers fall by noon, while Flight 93 took its fateful decent. Most of the major 9/11 events happened before noon – although the aftermath of those morning hours is still playing out now.
But these 9/11 ceremonies and moments of silence are almost muted this year, in comparison to other years. The weather is lousy in New York this morning, so less people are in attendance at Ground Zero this year. In addition, 9/11, the aftermath of it, and the fight against terror have taken a back seat recently to the health care debate, and President Obama’s domestic policy.
This naturally gives conservatives the chance to say that the lessons of the 9/11 events have been lost. Glenn Beck will help drill that message into everyone’s brains with his “9/12” project tomorrow.
Sources
USA TODAY- “Moment of silence marks key moments of 9/11” blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/09/thousands-gather-near-ground-zero-for-moment-of-silence-to-mark-911.html
Western Oregon Libertarian Examiner- “A libertarian perspective on Saturday’s 912 protests” www.examiner.com/x-22310-Western-Oregon-Libertarian-Examiner~y2009m9d11-A-libertarian-perspective-on-Saturdays-912-protests
