• Opening the Vault: Remembering 9/11

    25 years ago, the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 changed history. Records held at the National Archives give insight into the moments before, during, and after the attacks.

    A worker stands at Ground Zero in New York City.

  • That Morning

    This logbook page captures the moment that operators realized the hijackings were taking place. After the attack, the Federal Aviation Administration submitted these documents to Congress, which became a crucial part of investigations. The page was recently declassified.

    Surveillance Log Book, September 11, 2001
    National Archives, Federal Aviation Administration

    This logbook page captures the moment that operators realized the hijackings were taking place. After the attack, the Federal Aviation Administration submitted these documents to Congress, which became a crucial part of investigations. The page was recently declassified.

    National Archives, Federal Aviation Administration

  • These photographs were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard during and following the attacks. Among them are scenes of the North Tower before its collapse, and clusters of abandoned strollers and food carts in Lower Manhattan.  

    Photographs taken by the U.S. Coast Guard, 2001
    National Archives, Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

    The North Tower before its collapse on September 11, 2001

    The North Tower before its collapse on September 11, 2001. (26-NY-14-024)

    View in the National Archives Catalog

  • These photographs were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard during and following the attacks. Among them are scenes of the North Tower before its collapse, and clusters of abandoned strollers and food carts in Lower Manhattan.  

    Photographs taken by the U.S. Coast Guard, 2001
    National Archives, Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

    Abandoned strollers are seen on September 11, 2001 in New York City

    Abandoned strollers are seen on September 11, 2001 in New York City. (26-NY-06-007)

    View in the National Archives Catalog

  • These photographs were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard during and following the attacks. Among them are scenes of the North Tower before its collapse, and clusters of abandoned strollers and food carts in Lower Manhattan.  

    Photographs taken by the U.S. Coast Guard, 2001
    National Archives, Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

    Abandoned food carts are seen on September 11, 2001 in New York City.

    Abandoned food carts are seen on September 11, 2001 in New York City. (26-NY-25-012)

    View in the National Archives Catalog

  • The President Learns

    When two hijacked planes crashed into New York City’s World Trade Center, President George W. Bush was at a Florida school meeting students. On display are several objects from this moment.

    President George W. Bush Participates in a Reading Demonstration at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida

    President George W. Bush Participates in a Reading Demonstration at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida.

    View in the National Archives Catalog

  • President Bush was reading this book with students at Emma E. Booker Elementary School when he learned of the attacks.

    Reading Mastery II, Storybook 1
    George W. Bush Presidential Library

    The book Reading Mastery II, Storybook I, read by President George W. Bush when learning of the attacks on September 11, 2001

  • President Bush remained in the classroom for a brief time after hearing the news. He was handed this cue-card, on which White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer had written "DON'T SAY ANYTHING YET."

    “Don’t Say Anything” Note, 2001
    George W. Bush Presidential Library

    A note that says "Don't say anything yet," with "yet" underlined, handed to President George W. Bush when he learned of the attacks on September 11, 2001

  • Faces of First Responders

    Many powerful photographs have been taken at Ground Zero. The photos on display above were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard and have not been widely shared. Immediately following the attacks, the Coast Guard joined local boats to evacuate more than half a million people stranded in Manhattan. In the days following, thousands of firefighters, police, military personnel, and volunteers worked together in the rescue and recovery effort.

    Photographs taken by the U.S. Coast Guard, 2001
    National Archives, Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

    A New York police officer wipes their eyes following the attacks on September 11, 2001.

    (26-NY-14-025)

    View in the National Archives Catalog

  • Many powerful photographs have been taken at Ground Zero. The photos on display above were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard and have not been widely shared. Immediately following the attacks, the Coast Guard joined local boats to evacuate more than half a million people stranded in Manhattan. In the days following, thousands of firefighters, police, military personnel, and volunteers worked together in the rescue and recovery effort.

    Photographs taken by the U.S. Coast Guard, 2001
    National Archives, Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

    A member of the U.S. Coast Guard looks down with smoke in the distance following the attacks on September 11, 2001

    (26-NY-14-030)

    View in the National Archives Catalog

  • Many powerful photographs have been taken at Ground Zero. The photos on display above were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard and have not been widely shared. Immediately following the attacks, the Coast Guard joined local boats to evacuate more than half a million people stranded in Manhattan. In the days following, thousands of firefighters, police, military personnel, and volunteers worked together in the rescue and recovery effort.

    Photographs taken by the U.S. Coast Guard, 2001
    National Archives, Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

    New York police officers are seen holding hard hat helmets following the attacks on September 11, 2001

    (26-NY-06-009)

    View in the National Archives Catalog

  • Many powerful photographs have been taken at Ground Zero. The photos on display above were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard and have not been widely shared. Immediately following the attacks, the Coast Guard joined local boats to evacuate more than half a million people stranded in Manhattan. In the days following, thousands of firefighters, police, military personnel, and volunteers worked together in the rescue and recovery effort.

    Photographs taken by the U.S. Coast Guard, 2001
    National Archives, Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

    A crowd forms waving American flags following the attacks on September 11, 2001 in New York City.

    (26-NY-13-040)

    View in the National Archives Catalog

  • Many powerful photographs have been taken at Ground Zero. The photos on display above were taken by the U.S. Coast Guard and have not been widely shared. Immediately following the attacks, the Coast Guard joined local boats to evacuate more than half a million people stranded in Manhattan. In the days following, thousands of firefighters, police, military personnel, and volunteers worked together in the rescue and recovery effort.

    Photographs taken by the U.S. Coast Guard, 2001
    National Archives, Records of the U.S. Coast Guard

    A New York firefighter looks into the smoky distance following the attacks on September 11, 2001

    (26-NY-13-011)

    View in the National Archives Catalog

  • Serving Survivors

    While nearly 3,000 people were killed on 9/11, thousands more died in the years following because of their exposure to toxic dust. In 2011, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was passed by Congress to provide healthcare to survivors and those who worked in response and recovery. 

    HR 847: The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, 2011
    General Records of the U.S. Government 

    James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
  • A worker stands at Ground Zero in New York City.
    • This logbook page captures the moment that operators realized the hijackings were taking place. After the attack, the Federal Aviation Administration submitted these documents to Congress, which became a crucial part of investigations. The page was recently declassified.
    The North Tower before its collapse on September 11, 2001
    Abandoned strollers are seen on September 11, 2001 in New York City
    Abandoned food carts are seen on September 11, 2001 in New York City.
    President George W. Bush Participates in a Reading Demonstration at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida
    The book Reading Mastery II, Storybook I, read by President George W. Bush when learning of the attacks on September 11, 2001
    A note that says "Don't say anything yet," with "yet" underlined, handed to President George W. Bush when he learned of the attacks on September 11, 2001
    A New York police officer wipes their eyes following the attacks on September 11, 2001.
    A member of the U.S. Coast Guard looks down with smoke in the distance following the attacks on September 11, 2001
    New York police officers are seen holding hard hat helmets following the attacks on September 11, 2001
    A crowd forms waving American flags following the attacks on September 11, 2001 in New York City.
    A New York firefighter looks into the smoky distance following the attacks on September 11, 2001
    James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
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