MAIN Home Life Holidays & Observances 9/11

2012 marks the 11th anniversary of 9/11.

In New York, a major ongoing focus is on plans for the new 1 World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan.

The single skyscraper will replace the iconic Twin Towers, destroyed on September 11, 2001 marking the first ever attack on US soil.

Since 2001, rebuilding efforts have been halted by related safety issues and the painful concerns of survivor families.

Although the new tower was expected to be completed by 2009, negotiations among economic and real estate interests, along with 19 different state agencies, have slowed progress significantly.

One of the more notable controversies surrounding the new building project arose over the renaming in of the central structure from the original "Freedom Tower" in 2008, to the now more practical 1 World Trade Center. Commercial reasons were the primary motivation for the name change, say critics, as developers attempted to calm nerves and ensure future rentals by simply renaming the skyscraper 1 World Trade Center.

Today, construction at Ground Zero has begun in earnest as the steel framework rises above downtown Manhattan promising the tallest building in New York — 1,776 feet in height to the top of the mast antenna — with a current completion date of 2013.

10th anniversary observances in 2011

The National 9/11 Memorial was dedicated on September 11, 2011 on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in a ceremony for victims' families. The following day, it opened to the public on September 12, 2011 and remains open for visitors with advance passes.

The memorial features the country's largest man-made waterfalls dramatically cascading into two sunken pools. These pools mark the footprints of the Twin Towers. Perhaps more poignantly, the names of 2,980 victims have been etched in granite around the edges of the memorial. The effect seeks to create closure for families of the nearly 40 percent of victims whose bodies were completely obliterated during the attacks.


Getting to the World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial

By subway:
• A, C, J, M, Z, 2, 3, 4, or 5 trains to Fulton Street: exit onto Fulton St. and walk west to Church St. Walk south and turn right on Thames St.
• 2 or 3 train to Park Place, then exit onto Church St. Walk south and turn right on Thames St.
• E train to World Trade Center, then exit onto Church St. Walk south and turn right on Thames St.
• R train to Rector Street, then exit onto Trinity Pl. Walk north and turn left on Thames St.
• 1 train to Rector Street, then exit onto Greenwich St. Walk north and turn left on Albany St.

By bus:
• Southbound: take the M5 bus to Thames St. Walk west to Albany St.
• Northbound: take the M5 bus to Rector St. Walk north to Albany St.

By PATH train:
• To World Trade Center

More about 9/11 around the Web:

Around the Web, find out more about the planned reconstruction of the World Trade Center, along with historic photos & video reports from September 11, 2001, including poignant recollections from those who vividly remember the horror as well as the heroic sacrifices made on 9/11 ...

Ground Zero Cams - Live views of the World Trade Center area in downtown Manhattan, plus recovery effort photo archive, gallery of related images.

Voices of September 11th - Online clearinghouse for survivor family resources, news updates about the rebuilding program, ongoing memorial tributes at Ground Zero, details on scholarships and charities, related interviews, photos.

September 11 News.com - An extensive archive of images and stories before, during, and after the 9/11 Twin Tower and Pentagon attacks.

September 11 Digital Archive - One-stop browsing for related pictures, audio and video clips, personal stories, documents, interviews, 9/11 FAQ and a comprehensive collection of 9/11 links & resources.

September 11, 2001 attacks - Wikipedia - Complete, hyperlinked history of the attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon with historic pictures, related resources.

also see -> Conspiracy Theories | Pearl Harbor Day