Today marks 19 years since the September 11th terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon. Commemorations began at sunrise with the traditional unfurling of the American flag on the side of the Pentagon. Later in the morning, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley will conduct a livestreamed ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Families of people killed at the Pentagon won't be there for the ceremony, but they'll be able to visit the memorial in small groups throughout the day.
In New York City, the traditional reading of the names of the victims will be recorded this year due to the pandemic. And in Shanksville, Pennsylvania both President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden will pay their respects.
Photo: New York City firefighters pause outside of Engine Company 10 and Ladder Company 10 across from One World Trade Center, the Freedom Tower, in lower Manhattan during commemoration ceremonies for the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on September 11, 2020 in New York City. (Getty Images)