Photos show the moment President George W. Bush learned of the 9/11 attacks — and how his day unfolded
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. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida.
US National Archives
Bush watched television coverage of the attacks on the World Trade Center during a briefing in the classroom.
US National Archives
Bush took notes as he listened to news coverage of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.
US National Archives
Bush called New York Gov. George Pataki, FBI Director Robert Mueller, and Vice President Dick Cheney. White House Chief of Staff Andy Card spoke on a cellphone.
US National Archives
A highway sign on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, read, “All crossings to New York closed.”
US National Archives
Bush watched television coverage of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center from his office aboard Air Force One.
US National Archives
Bush conferred with White House Chief of Staff Andy Card in the president’s stateroom on Air Force One.
US National Archives
Bush spoke with his staff by telephone as Air Force One flew from Sarasota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
US National Archives
Senior staff huddled in Bush’s office aboard the presidential jet.
US National Archives
Bush and his staff looked out the windows of Air Force One at their F-16 escort while en route to Barksdale Air Force Base.
US National Archives
An F-16 fighter jet escorted Air Force One.
US National Archives
Offutt is a highly secure underground command center that can withstand a nuclear attack.
US National Archives
Bush, Adm. Richard Mies, and White House Chief of Staff Andy Card conducted a video teleconference at the base.
US National Archives
Back on Air Force One, Bush and White House counsel Harriet Miers linked arms as the plane headed to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
US National Archives
Bush spoke with Ari Fleischer and Karl Rove aboard Air Force One during the flight.
US National Archives
After departing Offutt Air Force Base for Washington, DC, Bush spoke on the phone with Vice President Dick Cheney from Air Force One.
US National Archives
National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice waited at the South Portico for Bush to arrive at the White House.
US National Archives
Counselor Karen Hughes and counsel Alberto Gonzales followed Bush into the Oval Office after his return to the White House.
US National Archives
Working with his senior staff, Bush reviewed the speech he would deliver to the nation that evening.
US National Archives
Bush spoke with Cheney in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, a secure bunker located beneath the White House.
US National Archives
Laura Bush was also brought to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center.
US National Archives
The president and first lady spoke with Cheney and Rice in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center.
US National Archives
Bush also met with Special Agent Carl Truscott of the US Secret Service.
US National Archives
Bush reviewed notes with Hughes before addressing the nation from the Oval Office.
US National Archives
Bush delivered his televised address, saying, “These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”
US National Archives
After addressing the nation, Bush returned to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center to meet with members of his National Security Council.
US National Archives