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US remembers 9/11 five years on US remembers 9/11 five years on
(20 minutes later)
Four minute-long silences have been observed at the World Trade Center site to mark the fifth anniversary of the 11 September attacks on the US.Four minute-long silences have been observed at the World Trade Center site to mark the fifth anniversary of the 11 September attacks on the US.
The crowd gathered there fell silent at the exact times of the plane strikes and collapse of each of the towers.
Tearful families laid flowers in pools at the site, as relatives read out the names of the 2,749 killed in New York.Tearful families laid flowers in pools at the site, as relatives read out the names of the 2,749 killed in New York.
The crowd fell silent at the exact times of the plane strikes and collapse of each of the towers. Memorial ceremonies are also being held at the other crash sites - the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.
Memorial ceremonies are also under way at the Pentagon near Washington and in Pennsylvania.
Flags flew at half mast as the first silence was observed at 0846 New York time (1246 GMT/1346 BST) - the time a hijacked plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center.Flags flew at half mast as the first silence was observed at 0846 New York time (1246 GMT/1346 BST) - the time a hijacked plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center.
MAIN US EVENTS Ground Zero ceremony begins at 0840 (1240 GMT)Four silences, 0846 (1246 GMT), 0903 (1303 GMT), 0959 (1359 GMT), 1029 (1429 GMT)Family memorial ceremony at Pentagon, 0900 (1300 GMT)Wreath-laying at Shanksville, Pennsylvania, 1535 (1935 GMT)President Bush to address nation, 2101 (0100 GMT Tues) In pictures: 9/11 memorials New al-Qaeda warning "Five years have come and gone and we still stand together as one," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. MAIN US EVENTS Ground Zero ceremony began at 0840 local (1240 GMT)Four silences, 0846, 0903, 0959, 1029Family memorial ceremony at Pentagon, 0900Wreath-laying at Shanksville, Pennsylvania, 1535President Bush to address nation, 2100 (0100 GMT Tues) In pictures: 9/11 memorials New al-Qaeda warning
A second silence at 0903 (1303 GMT), marked the time that a second plane hit the south tower, followed by a third at 0959 (1359 GMT), which marked the moment the south tower fell.
A trumpet jazz solo ended the fourth minute's silence, at 1029 (1429 GMT), the time the north tower collapsed.
Some relatives of the victims simply read out the names of their lost loved ones, others gave short tributes. "We love you and we miss you, every day and forever," said one woman.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his predecessor, Rudolph Giuliani - who was in office five years ago - addressed the crowds.
Mr Bloomberg said: "Five years have come and gone and we still stand together as one.
HAVE YOUR SAY 9/11 taught us the true brutality of terrorism J Fernando, Colombo Send us your comments US media on 9/11 aftermath International media review
"We come back to this place to remember the heart-breaking anniversary and each person who died here, those known and unknown to us, whose absence is always with us.""We come back to this place to remember the heart-breaking anniversary and each person who died here, those known and unknown to us, whose absence is always with us."
Some relatives of the victims simply read out the names of lost loved ones, others gave short tributes - "We love you and we miss you, every day and forever," said one woman. Mr Giuliani said: "God bless all of those that we lost, God bless all of you who mourn for them, remember them and live on in their spirit and God Bless America."
A second silence at 0903 (1303 GMT), marked the time that a hijacked plane hit the south tower, followed by a third at 0959 (1359 GMT), which marked the moment the south tower fell. President George W Bush observed the silences at a New York fire station, where he hailed the hundreds of firefighters who died that day as heroes.
Some wept as a trumpet jazz solo ended the fourth minute's silence, at 1029 (1429 GMT), the time the north tower collapsed.
The former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani addressed the crowds:
HAVE YOUR SAY 9/11 taught us the true brutality of terrorism J Fernando, Colombo Send us your comments US media on 9/11 aftermath International media review "God bless all of those that we lost, God bless all of you who mourn for them, remember them and live on in their spirit and God Bless America," he said.
President George W Bush observed the silences at a New York fire station, where he hailed the firefighters who died as heroes.
Rumsfeld tributeRumsfeld tribute
A memorial ceremony was also held at the Pentagon, where at least 179 people died when a hijacked plane ploughed into the building. A memorial ceremony was also held at the Pentagon, where at least 179 people died when a third hijacked plane ploughed into the building.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's voice cracked as he paid tribute to Pentagon colleagues and servicemen who had been on the front line of US "war on terror" in the five years since the attacks. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's voice cracked as he paid tribute to Pentagon colleagues and servicemen who had been on the front line of US "war on terror" in the five years since the attacks.
"In many ways, the enemy's failing," he said, but called for unity and perseverance. ATTACKS IN DETAIL href="/1/hi/world/5298746.stm" class="">How the towers fell href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456983/html/default.stm" class="">The four hijacks Another ceremony is under way in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at the field where 40 people died when United Flight 93 crashed to the ground after passengers tried to retake the aircraft.
"They still try every day to convince us to... distrust one another, and to believe that the battle against them cannot be won or is not worth the cost," he said.
ATTACKS IN DETAIL How the towers fell The four hijacks Another ceremony is under way in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at the site where 40 people died when United Flight 93 crashed to the ground.
Silences are also being observed at the Boston airport from where the planes that hit the towers took off.
Mr Bush will later visit the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania site.Mr Bush will later visit the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania site.
In the evening, at 2100 local time (0100 GMT), he will make a formal TV address to the nation from the Oval Office. In the evening, at 2100 local time, he will make a formal TV address to the nation from the Oval Office.
It will be only the fifth time that Mr Bush has made such an address to the American people - the first was on the day of the attacks.It will be only the fifth time that Mr Bush has made such an address to the American people - the first was on the day of the attacks.
Al-Qaeda videoAl-Qaeda video
As the US began the anniversary, broadcasters aired an apparently new video from al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who urged Muslims to increase resistance against the US.As the US began the anniversary, broadcasters aired an apparently new video from al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who urged Muslims to increase resistance against the US.
New Yorkers reflect on the attacks of 11 September 2001In pictures In the footage he referred to the recent Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, saying al-Qaeda had been given "every legitimacy" to keep fighting the US and its allies.New Yorkers reflect on the attacks of 11 September 2001In pictures In the footage he referred to the recent Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, saying al-Qaeda had been given "every legitimacy" to keep fighting the US and its allies.
The events come as Mr Bush continues to face criticism over his "war on terror" in the run-up to November's mid-term Congressional elections.The events come as Mr Bush continues to face criticism over his "war on terror" in the run-up to November's mid-term Congressional elections.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said Mr Bush's TV address would not be "a political speech".White House spokesman Tony Snow said Mr Bush's TV address would not be "a political speech".
"It is a reflection of what 11 September has meant to the president, and to the country; the realities that it has brought to all of our attention and how we can move forward together to try to win the war on terror," Mr Snow said."It is a reflection of what 11 September has meant to the president, and to the country; the realities that it has brought to all of our attention and how we can move forward together to try to win the war on terror," Mr Snow said.