TODAY marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which saw 19 al-Qaeda militants hijack four planes, targeting four different sites in the United States.
Two of the planes struck the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center, one hit the Pentagon in Virginia and another crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
In total, almost 3,000 people died in the suicide attacks, including a number of victims with links to Brighton and Sussex.
The Argus has looked back over how we covered the attacks 20 years ago, interviewing people whose lives changed forever.
Although all eyes were on the United States that day, Brighton played its part in the unfolding drama, with Prime Minister Tony Blair appearing at the TUC conference in the city, and speaking of the need to "eradicate" the "evil" of terrorism.
Lord John Monks, TUC general secretary at the time, told The Argus how there was fear that the Brighton Centre might be the next target.
- How we captured the horror of 9/11 on our front pages - looking back 20 years on
- 'We thought Brighton could be next' - 9/11 from inside TUC conference with Tony Blair
The day after the attacks, we ran a frontpage with the headline “massacre in Manhattan” as the death toll slowly started to become clear. We also looked at our coverage over the years.
Among the dead, Albion fan Robert Eaton who was killed while working on the 105th floor of the North Tower.
His family say the 20th anniversary of his death "brings back many sad memories of a difficult time".
However, his memory is kept alive by his fellow football fans who continue to raise money in his name, and his beloved Albion have also paid tribute to him today.
- 'Good has come out of a tragedy' - charity in memory of 9/11 victim raises £300k
- ‘Fly high our lovely girl’ – Sussex graduate remembered by father after 9/11
University of Sussex graduate Karlie Rogers also died in the North Tower, her family say they were "robbed of 20 years of fun and love".
She was at the same conference on the 106th floor as Geoff Campbell, whose brother Matt relieved the "devastating and exhausting" time, while also calling for a fresh inquest.
We have also heard from Paul Neal who, having just returned to New York after visiting his family in Sussex, managed to escape the disaster with his life.
- 'A funny, intelligent man' - brother of 9/11 victim relives his death 20 years on
- 'It felt like the end' - how a survivor avoided being killed by collapsing tower
While veteran news reporter Jon Snow, originally from Ardingly, described there being "no time to cry" while covering the tragedy that killed 2,977 people.
September 11 remains one of those moments where you can remember exactly where you were when you heard the news - and many of you have got in touch to share your experiences of that fateful day.
- 'No time to cry' - Jon Snow shares his memories of covering September 11 attacks
- From Victoria Station to Florida - Argus readers remember where they were on 9/11
It is no exaggeration to say the world was forever changed and we have also looked at how the aviation industry and the emergency services responded to the tragedy.
- Security increased and armoured doors - how aviation industry changed after 9/11
- How fire fighting changed in the UK after the 9/11 terrorist attacks
Tomorrow there will be memorial events across America, with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visiting all three sites where the attacks unfolded: The World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C. - and the field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, which is where United Airlines 93 crashed.
The annual reading of the names will take place in New York City, as well as the Tribute in Light installation, which involves 88 vertical searchlights arranged in two columns of light to represent the Twin Towers.
The lights will be visible at sunset in the city, which is at 7.11pm and shine until dawn.
Stunning. 9/11 Tribute in Light at the Pentagon… Seen here from the banks of the Potomac. Visible for miles across Washington, Maryland and Virginia #September11 pic.twitter.com/ZU0Rkjx9HX
— Mike Valerio (@MikevWUSA) September 9, 2021
Meanwhile, a private observance for family members and guests to honor the 40 people killed onboard United Airlines Flight 93 will be held at the national memorial site in Pennsylvania.
The 20th anniversary of 9/11 comes amid the backdrop of the United States' withdrawal from its war in Afghanistan, which was started in response to the attacks.
The September 11 UK Families Support Group is holding a private service of remembrance in the Memorial Garden opposite the US Embassy in London for the families of the victims, meaning the garden will be closed to the public from 11.00am until 5.00pm.
The families will be reading the victims' names and placing white roses on the inscription stone in the garden. A minute's silence will be observed at 1.46pm GMT - when the first plane struck the North Tower.
After sunset there will be a candlelight memorial which will be open to the public. The garden will stay open until 8.00pm.
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