Photos show the moment President George W. Bush first learned of the 9/11 attacks — and how the president's day unfolded

• 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. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida.

Dan Bartlett, deputy assistant to the president, pointed to news footage of the attacks while Bush listened to new security information.

Bush watched television coverage of the attacks on the World Trade Center during a briefing in the classroom.

Bush took notes as he listened to news coverage of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.

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.

Bush delivered one of his first remarks to the nation after the attacks from the Florida elementary school.

A highway sign on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, read, "All crossings to New York closed."

Bush watched television coverage of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center from his office aboard Air Force One.

Bush conferred with White House Chief of Staff Andy Card in the president's stateroom on Air Force One.

Bush spoke with his staff by telephone as Air Force One flew from Sarasota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

Senior staff huddled in Bush's office aboard the presidential jet.

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.

An F-16 fighter jet escorted Air Force One.

Bush conferred with staff before delivering remarks on the World Trade Center disaster from the General Dougherty Conference Center at Barksdale Air Force Base.

Bush delivered additional remarks on the terrorist attacks before departing for Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

Offutt is a highly secure underground command center that can withstand a nuclear attack.

Bush, Adm. Richard Mies, and White House Chief of Staff Andy Card conducted a video teleconference at the base.

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.

Bush spoke with Ari Fleischer and Karl Rove aboard Air Force One during the flight.

After departing Offutt Air Force Base for Washington, DC, Bush spoke on the phone with Vice President Dick Cheney from Air Force One.

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice waited at the South Portico for Bush to arrive at the White House.

Counselor Karen Hughes and counsel Alberto Gonzales followed Bush into the Oval Office after his return to the White House.

Working with his senior staff, Bush reviewed the speech he would deliver to the nation that evening.

Bush spoke with Cheney in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, a secure bunker located beneath the White House.

Laura Bush was also brought to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center.

 

The president and first lady spoke with Cheney and Rice in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center.

Bush also met with Special Agent Carl Truscott of the US Secret Service.

Bush reviewed notes with Hughes before addressing the nation from the Oval Office.

Bush delivered his televised address, saying, "These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."

After addressing the nation, Bush returned to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center to meet with members of his National Security Council.

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