Remembering 9/11

Timeline http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks/videos#911-timeline

The day of the attack, children from all over the nation began writing letters to the heroes of New York City. Once sent in the mail, they were delivered to all of the police stations and firehouses of NYC. They included both letters and drawings of their personal feelings and admiration for those heroes who saved lives and took part in the after effect of this terrible tragedy.

A special tribute was made to those aboard the flight when the plane crashed into The World Trade Center. Each family who suffered from a loss of a loved one received a quilt made in order to honor their loved ones on that tragic day.

After the towers fell, the flag that was hanging across the street was tattered and destroyed from the debris. It stayed stored in a shed, untouched, for seven years. In 2008, a tornado destroyed Greensburg, Kansas. New York Says Thank you volunteers took this flag along with other tattered flags from Kansas that were destroyed. These pieces were used to salvage the flag from NYC to repair the flag from the day of the attack. This flag is now known as the National 9/11 Flag. It represents the shared stories of tragedy and triumph, and the resilience of the human spirit. This flag is shared with communities who have suffered throughout the nation.

In the time following the attack, a replica of Lady Liberty stood honor guard outside of a firehouse in NYC. Neighborhood volunteers and other civilians left messages and other tributes in honor of the fallen heroes as ornaments on Lady Liberty. She was covered from head to foot with miniature American flags, money, cards, postcards, angel figurines, rosary beads, and many other mementoes that mourners left. It is now displayed at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in memory of the firefighters who were killed at the World Trade Center during the September 11th attack.

Ground Zero Lights

How do these artistic items act as a symbol for our country? How do we personalize meaning to art and give it a symbolic meaning? Do symbols become stronger after a community suffers a crisis? What motivates people to create memorials after a tragic event?

Information referenced from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Art Response.