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15 Years Later, House Marks 9/11 Anniversary

Photos of the terrorist attacks from Roll Call's archive

A member of the U.S. Army Chorus leads members of Congress in singing "God Bless America" at the ceremony on the House steps to mark the 15th anniversary of 9/11 on Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
A member of the U.S. Army Chorus leads members of Congress in singing "God Bless America" at the ceremony on the House steps to mark the 15th anniversary of 9/11 on Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Members of Congress returned to the steps of the Capitol Friday morning to mark the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was a scene reminiscent of the one that took place the evening of Sept. 11, 2001, when reeling lawmakers condemned the attacks that had taken place hours earlier in New York City, outside Washington, D.C., and in Pennsylvania, and prayed and vowed that the government would be open for business. On both occasions, the assembled members sang God Bless America.

As Americans prepare to mark the anniversary this weekend, Roll Call went into its archive for photos taken just after the attacks. 

On Sept. 11, 2001, after jetliners crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, a plane that originated from Dulles International Airport and that was commandeered by terrorists crashed into the Pentagon.

Smoke can be seen from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol after a plane crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)
Smoke can be seen from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol after a plane crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)

Following the Pentagon attack, the Capitol was evacuated.

People run from the East Front of the U.S. Capitol during the evacuation after terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia on Sept. 11, 2001. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)
People run from the East Front of the U.S. Capitol during the evacuation after terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia on Sept. 11, 2001. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)

As were offices across the nation’s capital.

People flee across Independence Avenue due to evacuations after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)
People flee across Independence Avenue due to evacuations after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)

In the evening, the nation watched as Congress appeared on the steps of the capital and resolved to keep working for the American people.

House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert is joined by congressional leadership and members of Congress in prayer on the steps of the Capitol the evening of Sept. 11, 2001. The lawmakers denounced the terrorist attacks and resolved to keep the government open. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)
House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert is joined by congressional leadership and members of Congress in prayer on the steps of the Capitol the evening of Sept. 11, 2001. The lawmakers denounced the terrorist attacks and resolved to keep the government open. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)

Smoke from the Pentagon crash could be seen throughout the city even days after the attack.

Damage can be seen on Sept. 13, 2001 after terrorists hijacked a United Boeing 757 from Dulles International Airport and crashed it into the Pentagon. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)
Damage can be seen on Sept. 13, 2001 after terrorists hijacked a United Boeing 757 from Dulles International Airport and crashed it into the Pentagon. (CQ Roll Call archive photo)

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