NEW YORK, Sept 11 (AFP) - The United States paused for a moment of silence Saturday, as the country recalled the horror of the September 11 terrorist attacks three years ago that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
President George W. Bush observed the hushed tribute on the lawn of the White House at 8:46 am (1246 GMT) - the time the first hijacked plane smashed into the World Trade Center.
At Ground Zero in New York, the focus of Saturday`s commemorative events, friends and relatives of the victims, together with dignitaries, emergency workers and community leaders, also bowed their heads in remembrance.
After the minute`s silence parents and grandparents began reading the 2,749 names of those who died in the trade center`s twin towers.
Ceremonies were also held at the Pentagon for the 184 people who died in the attack there, and in the field in Pennsylvania where a fourth airliner carrying 44 people crashed after passengers staged a rebellion against the hijackers.