Photos show the moment President George W. Bush first learned of the 9/11 attacks — and how the president's day unfolded
This article provides a historical account of President George W. Bush's reaction to the 9/11 terrorist attacks using archival photos. It details his activities at an elementary school in Florida when he was first informed of the events.
Why it matters
It serves as a historical record of a defining moment in modern American political history.
President George W. Bush on September 11, 2001. US National Archives After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, heart-wrenching images surfaced and stirred the world. Photos from the National Archives show exactly when President George W. Bush learned of the attacks. See how Bush responded to what would be the defining moment of his presidency. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush was visiting an elementary school and reading to the children when the second plane hit the World Trade Center in New York City. The school turned into a makeshift command center, and the president addressed the nation from the school before boarding Air Force One to get to a secure location. These photos from the US National Archives show how the 43rd president's day unfolded on 9/11. President George W. Bush participated in a reading demonstration on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, at Emma E.
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