The consoler in chief: Rare and candid collection of images show a solemn President George W. Bush in the moments and days after 9/11 terror attacks

  • Today marks the 17th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks that left 2,996 people dead and more than 6,000 others injured in the United States
  • Collection of images part of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum focus on Bush’s leadership during the tragic time in America’s history 
  • In observing the 17th anniversary, Donald Trump is making his first visit as President to the Shanksville, Pennsylvania site today to honor those who died during the terror attack

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Today marks the 17th anniversary of the devastating September 11th terrorist attacks that left 2,996 people dead and more than 6,000 others injured in the United States.

The horrific day began when hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into floors 93-99 of the World Trade Center’s North Tower at 8.46am. Minutes later at 9.03am, United Airlines Flight 175 was crashed by hijackers into floors 75-85 of WTC’s South Tower.

Everyone aboard both planes were instantly killed along with those on the affected floors inside both towers.

Within less than an hour of the two attacks on the Twin Towers, a third hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. A fourth hijacked plane was stopped from hitting the intended target by passengers and that aircraft crash landed in a Shanksville, Pennsylvania field. The fateful day has since been known as the worst domestic attack the United States has ever experienced.

At the time of the first attack on the North Tower, then-President George W. Bush was participating in a reading demonstration with children at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida. His discussion with the young students ended quickly as he rushed to an empty classroom to receive updates on the situation as it unfolded.

Now, a collection of captivating and harrowing images that are a part of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum focus on Bush’s leadership during the tragic time in America’s history.

At the time the first hijacked plane hit the World Trade Center's North Tower on September 11, 2001, then-President George W. Bush was participating in a reading demonstration with children at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida (above). His discussion with the young students ended quickly as he rushed to an empty classroom to receive updates on the situation as it unfolded. A collection of  images that are a part of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum focus on Bush’s leadership during the tragic time in America’s history

At the time the first hijacked plane hit the World Trade Center's North Tower on September 11, 2001, then-President George W. Bush was participating in a reading demonstration with children at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida (above). His discussion with the young students ended quickly as he rushed to an empty classroom to receive updates on the situation as it unfolded. A collection of images that are a part of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum focus on Bush’s leadership during the tragic time in America’s history

After he learned of the attacks on the World Trade Center, Bush was ushered out of the classroom with students and into an empty room. He can be seen in one photo on the phone gathering information while his Director of Communications Dan Bartlett points to news footage on a television showing the North Tower burning (above)

After he learned of the attacks on the World Trade Center, Bush was ushered out of the classroom with students and into an empty room. He can be seen in one photo on the phone gathering information while his Director of Communications Dan Bartlett points to news footage on a television showing the North Tower burning (above)

Another gripping image captured moments later shows everyone in the empty class room at Emma E. Booker Elementary School watching footage showing clouds of smoke fill the sky as the second flight hits the South Tower (above) 

Another gripping image captured moments later shows everyone in the empty class room at Emma E. Booker Elementary School watching footage showing clouds of smoke fill the sky as the second flight hits the South Tower (above) 

The heart-wrenching photo above shows huge clouds of smoke rising from the site of the World Trade Center after both the North and South Towers collapsed on September 11, 2001

The heart-wrenching photo above shows huge clouds of smoke rising from the site of the World Trade Center after both the North and South Towers collapsed on September 11, 2001

Pictured above is a satellite image showing the smoke and dust plume across lower Manhattan captured by NASA's Landsat 7 in space after the horrific September 11 attacks that left the Twin Towers collapsed into heaps of rubble

Pictured above is a satellite image showing the smoke and dust plume across lower Manhattan captured by NASA's Landsat 7 in space after the horrific September 11 attacks that left the Twin Towers collapsed into heaps of rubble

Other images from that day show Bush aboard Air Force One during the flight from Sarasota, Florida to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana watching coverage of the attacks and taking phone calls from Vice President Dick Cheney and others (above)

Other images from that day show Bush aboard Air Force One during the flight from Sarasota, Florida to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana watching coverage of the attacks and taking phone calls from Vice President Dick Cheney and others (above)

The series of photos begins by showing President Bush in the classroom with the students on the morning of the attacks. One photo shows eager children with their hands raised as Bush sits at the front of the classroom with his Secret Service detail standing nearby.

After he learned of the attacks on the World Trade Center, Bush was ushered out of the classroom with students and into an empty room. He can be seen in one photo on the phone gathering information while his Director of Communications Dan Bartlett points to news footage on a television showing the North Tower burning.

Another gripping image captured moments later shows everyone in the room watching footage showing clouds of smoke fill the sky as the second flight hits the South Tower.

More than an hour after both attacks on the Twin Towers, Bush was photographed giving an impromptu press conference at the elementary school as the children, school staff and others stood solemnly behind him.

President Bush is pictured above with a solemn expression on his face standing behind his desk on Air Force One while watching television coverage of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001

President Bush is pictured above with a solemn expression on his face standing behind his desk on Air Force One while watching television coverage of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001

An F-16 fighter jet is pictured above escorting Air Force One from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska to Andrews Air Force Base on September 11, 2001

An F-16 fighter jet is pictured above escorting Air Force One from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska to Andrews Air Force Base on September 11, 2001

After departing Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, President  Bush is pictured above on the phone with then-Vice President Dick Cheney from Air Force One on September 11, 2001, during the flight to Andrews Air Force Base
Pictured above firefighters unfurl a large American flag over the scarred stone of the Pentagon on September 12, 2001, in Arlington, Virginia

After departing Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, President Bush is pictured above left on the phone with then-Vice President Dick Cheney from Air Force One on September 11, 2001, during the flight to Andrews Air Force Base. Pictured above right firefighters unfurl a large American flag over the scarred stone of the Pentagon on September 12, 2001, in Arlington, Virginia 

President Bush is pictured above touring the World Trade Center disaster site aboard Marine One on September 14, 2001, with New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, left, and New York Governor George Pataki. The city's skyline can be seen from the window next to Bush

President Bush is pictured above touring the World Trade Center disaster site aboard Marine One on September 14, 2001, with New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, left, and New York Governor George Pataki. The city's skyline can be seen from the window next to Bush

Other images from that day show Bush aboard Air Force One during the flight from Sarasota, Florida to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana watching coverage of the attacks and taking phone calls from Vice President Dick Cheney and others.

Once he arrived in Louisiana, Bush gave another press conference where he said: ‘Make no mistake, The United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.’

Dozens of other images in the collection capture moments showing Bush with his senior staff members and aides in the days following the attacks while they hold numerous meetings at the White House.

Bush declared September 14th as the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance and images from that day that are also included in the collection show Bush holding the hand of his father, former President George H. W. Bush, as his wife, Barbara Bush sits next to him.

President  Bush is pictured above emotionally embracing a firefighter part of the rescue efforts at the site of the World Trade Center on September 14, 2001, during his visit to New York City while touring the damage 

President Bush is pictured above emotionally embracing a firefighter part of the rescue efforts at the site of the World Trade Center on September 14, 2001, during his visit to New York City while touring the damage 

\Standing on top of a crumpled fire truck with retired New York City firefighter Bob Beckwith, President Bush is pictured above rallying firefighters and rescue workers on September 14, 2001. During an impromptu speech at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center towers in New York City, he said: 'I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon'
Above two firefighters look on while Bush spoke

 Standing on top of a crumpled fire truck with retired New York City firefighter Bob Beckwith, President Bush is pictured above left rallying firefighters and rescue workers on September 14, 2001. During an impromptu speech at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center towers in New York City, he said: 'I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.' Above right two firefighters look on while Bush spoke

Standing upon the ashes of the attack upon the World Trade Center with retired New York City firefighter, Bob Beckwith, President Bush is pictured above holding an American flag on September 14, 2001, after addressing recovery workers in New York City

Standing upon the ashes of the attack upon the World Trade Center with retired New York City firefighter, Bob Beckwith, President Bush is pictured above holding an American flag on September 14, 2001, after addressing recovery workers in New York City

Several other gripping images included in the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum show Bush emotionally embracing the family members of those who lost loved ones in the horrific attacks that forever changed the United States (above)

Several other gripping images included in the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum show Bush emotionally embracing the family members of those who lost loved ones in the horrific attacks that forever changed the United States (above)

President Bush is pictured above speaking on September 14, 2001 in new York City with Arlene Howard who presented him with the police badge found on the body of her son, Port Authority Police Officer George Howard, who died during rescue efforts during the terror attack

President Bush is pictured above speaking on September 14, 2001 in new York City with Arlene Howard who presented him with the police badge found on the body of her son, Port Authority Police Officer George Howard, who died during rescue efforts during the terror attack

The World Trade Center rescue site in New York City is seen the evening of Friday, September 14, 2001, from Marine One after President Bush departed the city

The World Trade Center rescue site in New York City is seen the evening of Friday, September 14, 2001, from Marine One after President Bush departed the city

That same day, Bush surveyed the damage to the Pentagon from the presidential helicopter, Marine One, before traveling to New York City where he met dozens of firefighters and first responders at the site of the World Trade Center.

Several gripping images show Bush emotionally embracing the family members of those who lost loved ones in the horrific attacks that forever changed the United States.

President Bush also toured the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. and met with community members on September 17, 2001. He also held a moment of silence with then-Vice President Dick Cheney on the White House South Lawn with other staff members on September 18, 2001.   

In observing the 17th anniversary, President Donald Trump is making his first visit as Commander-in-Chief to the Shanksville, Pennsylvania site today and will focus on honoring the lives of those lost on September 11th.

President Bush is pictured above speaking with community leaders after touring the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. on Sept. 17, 2001

President Bush is pictured above speaking with community leaders after touring the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. on Sept. 17, 2001

President Bush and Cheney are joined by dozens of White House staff members on Tuesday, September 18, 2001, as they observe a moment of silence on the White House South Lawn 

President Bush and Cheney are joined by dozens of White House staff members on Tuesday, September 18, 2001, as they observe a moment of silence on the White House South Lawn 

Staff members gathered on the South Lawn of the White house to wave American flags on Friday, September 21, 2001, as President Bush and Mrs. Laura W. Bush depart for Camp David aboard Marine One (above)

Staff members gathered on the South Lawn of the White house to wave American flags on Friday, September 21, 2001, as President Bush and Mrs. Laura W. Bush depart for Camp David aboard Marine One (above)

The Tribute in Light is pictured above rising above the lower Manhattan skyline on September 9, 2018 as the Statue of Liberty and new Freedom Tower can be seen nearby. The two blue pillars of light provide a visual reminder of how the Twin Towers, destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, once stood above the city skyline

The Tribute in Light is pictured above rising above the lower Manhattan skyline on September 9, 2018 as the Statue of Liberty and new Freedom Tower can be seen nearby. The two blue pillars of light provide a visual reminder of how the Twin Towers, destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, once stood above the city skyline

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