00:02The 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
00:06That faithful day remains not only in our memories as if it were yesterday, but also
00:12in our hearts, and I'm sure everyone in this room would say the same.
00:18Indeed, the world has not been the same since 9-11 changed everything from how we live to
00:26how our countries interact, to how we travel, and with each other.
00:32But the most profound impacts were not societal or political.
00:38They were personal.
00:40Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks on New York, Washington DC, and in Shanksville,
00:48Pennsylvania, including 67 UK citizens.
00:5325 years ago, on 11 September 2001, 2,977 people were killed when passenger jets hijacked
01:03by Al-Qaeda terrorists struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, causing
01:10both to collapse as well as the Pentagon outside Washington DC.
01:14A fourth plane, seized by extremists, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in
01:22rural Pennsylvania after the crew and passengers fought back, and so prevented it from hitting
01:29another target, thought to be the Congress.
01:32It remains the worst terrorist outrage of all time, claiming the lives of victims from more
01:38than 90 nations.
01:40We also remember the thousands who were serving on the front lines after 9-11.
01:46The first responders, law enforcement officers, intelligence services, armed forces, and diplomatic
01:53corps.
01:54That includes many of you here who worked to clear backlogs, implement new regulations, and
02:01intercept new threats.
02:03You showed unimaginable bravery to keep the world turning when it felt like all had stopped.
02:10And your dedication to service continues to inspire us today.
02:15Because while 9-11 brought heartache and hurt, it also revealed humanity and hope.
02:23That was only the beginning of the response, because in the weeks and months that followed 9-11,
02:29a new chapter was added to the world's most historic partnership.
02:35As America grieved, the people of the UK rallied to stand beside us in sympathy and solidarity.
02:44The American national anthem played at Buckingham Palace at the order of Her Late Majesty, Queen
02:51Elizabeth II, the first time another country's anthem had been performed during the changing
02:57of the guard.
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