US : 16th anniversary of 9/11 attacks September 11, 2017 by shameen A hijacked commercial plane approaches the World Trade Center shortly before crashing into the landmark skyscraper 11 September 2001 in New York. AFP PHOTO SETH MCALLISTER / AFP PHOTO / SETH MCALLISTER The ‘Tribute in Light’ illuminates the night sky, on September 10, 2017 in New York City, on the eve of the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. / AFP PHOTO / KENA BETANCUR SHANKSVILLE, PA – SEPTEMBER 10: Visitors gather to pay respects during the Flight 93 National MemorialÕs annual Luminaria on the eve of 16th Anniversary ceremony of the September 11th terrorist attacks, September 10, 2017 in Shanksville, PA. United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field outside Shanksville, PA with 40 passengers and 4 hijackers aboard on September 11, 2001. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images/AFP The Tribute in Light illuminates the sky in New York September 11, 2011 on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The tribute, an art installation of the Municipal Art Society, consists of 88 searchlights placed next to the site of the World Trade Center creating two vertical columns of light in remembrance of the September 11, 2001 attacks. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A.CLARY / AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY Fire and smoke rises from a collapsed portion of the Pentagon in Washington, DC after a hijacked commercial airliner deliberately crashed into the western facade of the building near the helipad 11 September 2001. The twin towers of the World trade Center in New York City were also destroyed in the same type of terrorist attack. US Secretary of State Colin Powell said 12 September 2001 that terrorist attacks in New York and Washington were the equivalent of “war” against the United States and vowed a complete response that could include the military targeting of the perpetrators. AFP PHOTO Paul DISNEY / AFP PHOTO / DOD/US ARMY / PAUL DISNEY Emergency personnel battle a fire at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, 11 September, 2001 after an airplane crashed into it. At the same time, two passenger planes were crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in new York City. Both towers collapsed. AFP PHOTO/ Luke FRAZZA / AFP PHOTO / LUKE FRAZZA