September 11, 2001, remains one of the most defining days in modern history. Beyond the headlines and broadcasts, countless powerful images were captured, moments of shock, courage, and humanity frozen in time.
These unique photographs offer a raw glimpse into the tragedy as it unfolded, preserving the perspective of those who lived through it.
Two construction workers pose for a photo with the Twin Towers on 9/11.
A photo believed to show Edna Cintron waving from the impact hole created by Flight 11 crashing into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Rare photo taken by Kazuhisa Honda inside the north tower’s 45th floor minutes after American Airlines Flight 11 hit on September 11th 2001.
21-year-old Nicole Carol Miller, boarding Flight 93 on 9/11. She would be dead just a few hours later.
Cars of victims that never left the Giants stadium commuter lot after 9/11.
This photo was taken at approximately 8:30 am on September 11, 2001 by David Monderer, from the Manhattan Bridge pedestrian walkway. Roughly 16 minutes later, a plane would crash into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, hitting floors 93 to 99.
Picture captured atop the Twin Towers on September 10, 2001. Just one day before the devastating 9/11 attacks. September 11, 2001 marked the most fatal terrorist attack ever, claiming nearly 3,000 lives. Thousands more were injured, and the aftermath saw many ongoing health issues.
Photo from September 11, 2001, taken from the International Space Station, shows the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks from space.
Harrowing photo shows FDNY Chief Assistant Gerard A. Barbara looking up at the burning World Trade Center on 9/11. He later lost his life when the South Tower collapsed while he was inside.
A series of photos captured inside the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
A group of 6th graders and their teachers on a field trip to California (along with two National Geographic employees who were organizing the trip) just before boarding American Airlines Flight 77 on September 11. Just over an hour later, their plane was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon.
Photo taken on September 11, 2001, shows people hanging from the windows of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
A fire truck rushing to the 9/11 scene. All six members of Ladder 118, Vernon Cherry, Leon Smith, Joey Agnello, Robert Regan, Pete Vega, and Scott Davidson lost their lives while saving people at the World Trade Center.
The NYC skyline at 8:45am vs 8:46am on September 11th 2001.
Photograph from an office building shows the moments before United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
A still image extracted from airport surveillance footage depicts Flight 77 Hijacker Khalid al-Mihdhar and Flight 77 passenger/victim Mari-Rae Sopper standing next to each other in the airport just before they boarded the doomed aircraft.
Photo taken by Todd Maisel shows PA NYPD officer Christopher Amoroso helping a woman on September 11th 2001. He helped many victims that day. He was last seen entering the North Tower to help escort more people out but he sadly never exited the building.
The last photo of American Airlines Flight 77 taken on September 11th, it would end up crashing into the Pentagon shortly afterwards.
A WABC TV Brooklyn Camera takes a photo of the twin towers at 8:40am on September 11th, 2001. Just six minutes later the first plane would hit and all chaos would break loose.
Ash covers gravestones in Trinity Church on Sept. 11, 2001.
A postcard pictured with the Twin Towers lies amid the rubble of the World Trade Center on Sept. 14, 2001.
Photo taken after the collapse of the south tower on September 11th, 2001.
Photo of the World Trade Center Towers taken from Church/Walker Street at 5:50PM on September 10th 2001. Less than 24 hours later the towers would no longer be standing.
Survivors from the World Trade Center attacks make their way through smoke, dust and debris on Fulton St., about a block from the collapsed towers on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York.
An eerie image captured by Mike Yoder depicts a Sears saleswoman, surrounded by television sets, witnessing the tragic events of September 11, 2001, as they unfolded.
The watch and credit card that belonged to Todd Beamer are on display at a museum. He tragically lost his life during 9/11.
A piece of debris, likely from one of the crashed airliners, lies on the corner of Murray Street in lower Manhattan near the World Trade Center site in New York on Sept. 11, 2001.
Ladder 3 was one of the first units to show up at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Sadly, its crew perished in the collapse of the North Tower. Their truck is now displayed in the NYC Memorial.
A satellite image of lower Manhattan shows smoke and ash rising from the site of the World Trade Center at 11:43 AM on September 12, 2001.
People flee as a cloud of debris engulfs the streets during the collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Photo taken by a passenger on a plane on approach to LaGuardia airport on September 11, 2001.
Crazy photo captures the moment a man learns that a plane has struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center, as the news is broadcast in the South Tower’s Sky Lobby. Just 17 minutes later, the South Tower was hit by United Airlines Flight 175.
Ron Clifford (yellow tie) helping a badly burned Jennieann Maffeo outside the WTC on September 11. Hours later, Ron discovered that his beloved sister, Ruth, and her four-year-old daughter, Juliana, were on the plane that had flown into the South Tower at the very moment that he was reciting the Lord’s Prayer 90 floors below.
Transcript of the voicemail left by Brian Sweeney, a passenger on United Airlines Flight 175 about three minutes before his plane crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Priest Stephen McGraw prays over a wounded man outside the west entrance of the Pentagon as emergency workers help the wounded just outside of Washington, DC.
Ominous photo taken at 11:30am on September 11th 2001 just minutes after both towers collapsed.
A rare piece of glass from the World Trade Center that miraculously remained intact after the 9/11 collapse.
This photo of Jenna Piccirillo and her young son, Vaughan, was among the first photos taken on September 11 by Alex Webb.
This picture of 28-year-old WTC Bank of America employee, Marcy Borders, shows her seeking refuge in a nearby office building after the South Tower collapse, which left her covered in dust. She had been working on the 81st floor of the North Tower when the attack commenced and managed to escape with her life.
Women react as they witness the collapse of the World Trade Center’s South Tower, about a half-mile away on Canal Street.
NYC police officer Richard Adamiak, foreground, is among several people taking refuge in a deli near the World Trade Center after the towers collapsed.
Photos taken on the observation deck of the South Tower just one day before 9/11.
The Twin Towers at 6:40 AM on 9/11.
An unidentified New York City fireman walks away from Ground Zero after the collapse of the towers.
President George W. Bush being informed by his chief of staff Andrew Card of what just happened.
A receipt for what is likely the last sale made at the World Trade Center, two magnets purchased on September 11, 2001, nine minutes after the first plane struck.
A missing poster for Ivhan Luis Carpio Bautista who sadly lost his life on 9/11.
This $729 receipt from the Windows on the World restaurant, which was in the World Trade Center, is from September 10th, 2001, at 9pm. Less than 24 hours later the towers were no longer standing.
George Bush flying over 9/11
Photograph of the twin towers on the night of September 10th, 2001.
This girl’s birthday was being celebrated during 9/11
The second plane approaching the south tower on 9:01am.
September 11, 2001 (8:44 am)
This image by Stan Honda shows a man covered in debris.
A rescue helicopter surveys damage to the Pentagon as firefighters battle flames.
A cloud of debris envelops pedestrians on New York’s Beekman Street after the World Trade Center collapse on September 11.
This image, made by Bergen Record photographer Thomas E. Franklin was captured on the day of the attacks.
People running as one of the towers began to collapse.
The Statue of Liberty can be seen from Jersey City, New Jersey, as the Lower Manhattan skyline remains shrouded in smoke on September 15, 2001.
President Bush speaks to rescue workers, firefighters and police officers at the rubble of New York’s ground zero.
“The Meteor” Approximately 4-5 floors of the WTC compressed. 9/11 Museum.
Taken on September 9th 2001
American Airlines 77 passengers boarding the plane before it was crashed into the Pentagon.
Photo taken from inside the South Tower during 9/11.
Photo taken by David Swenson on 9/11.
Photo taken by Jennifer Edwards at around 4:00am on 9/11/01 from the Staten Island Ferry.
Photo taken inside the North Tower at Windows Of The World on September 10, 2001.
September 10th, 2001
World Trade Center photographed at 8:15am on 9/11.
A rare September 10th photo
The last sunrise.
Photo taken by Reinhard Karger on 9/11.
A view of the Twin Towers behind a building at around 8:41 AM on 9/11, just 5 minutes before the first plane hit.
View of the World Trade Center at 8:43am on September 11th, 2001 – 3 minutes before the first plane hit.
Citizens during 9/11
Ed Kotski’s picture of the 74th floor in WTC 1
Photo of the North Tower after the South Tower’s collapse
The Twin Towers at 8:00 AM on 9/11
Night of September 10th, 2001
The Twin Towers at 7:00 AM on 9/11
Rare picture of the plane seconds before hitting the south tower
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