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It has been 17 years since the devastating 9/11 attacks. Coverage of the American Airlines flight 11 tragedy during which nearly 3,000 perished was the main priority that day for most Western news agencies (the scenes of the twin towers collapsing were witnessed by an estimated two billion people - a third of the human race). Together with amateur records, this has produced such an incredible amount of 9/11 photos, some of it is rarely seen even today.

Bored Panda has collected some of the least seen 9/11 stories from across the internet. From street shots of the twin towers attack to satellite images of New York City, these historical photos are revealing new angles of the horrific day that changed the world forever. For more similar September 11 shots, check out this powerful book by David Friend.

#1

A Knot Of Bystanders At Park Row And Beekman Street Look Up As The South Tower Begins To Collapse

A Knot Of Bystanders At Park Row And Beekman Street Look Up As The South Tower Begins To Collapse

Patrick Witty Report

EmptySoul
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most expressive pic of all pics. No matter your color, caste, religion, when such in-human and horrifying thing occurs, we all weep and bleed same color.

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    #2

    At Rector Street And Broadway, A Photographer Leaned Out His Window With A Medium-format Camera And Caught The Moment Before The Second Plane’s Impact

    At Rector Street And Broadway, A Photographer Leaned Out His Window With A Medium-format Camera And Caught The Moment Before The Second Plane’s Impact

    Rob Howard Report

    Cat Meow
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looking at all these pictures gives me goosebumps and flash backs to that day

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    #3

    People Falling From The Towers

    People Falling From The Towers

    David Surowiecki Report

    John L
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Burning to death is the most painful thing, and it isn't any wonder that so many choose a quick death over the ultimate torture.

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    #4

    A Man Has A Job To Do

    A Man Has A Job To Do

    Melanie Einzig Report

    John L
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This does not surprise me at all. When I was in graduate school I worked the midnight shift at UPS, in Knoxville. Everything was 100% about getting the packages shipped and delivered. Management never slowed down. Everyone worked non stop from the moment they clocked in until they clocked out. In other words, you were paid well, but earned every penny made. Its the most 'workaholic' company in the world, I kid you not.

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    #5

    As Seen Through A Fish-Eye Lens From An Apartment Four Blocks Away, Smoke Streams From The North Tower Within Minutes Of The First Plane’s Attack

    As Seen Through A Fish-Eye Lens From An Apartment Four Blocks Away, Smoke Streams From The North Tower Within Minutes Of The First Plane’s Attack

    Patricia McDonough Report

    EmptySoul
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am sure who ever took this pic, will never forget the view entire life. Horrific, terrible and sad.

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    #6

    American Airlines Flight 11 (Visible In The Upper Right-Hand Corner Of The Photo) Approaches The North Tower Of The World Trade Center On September 11, 2001

    American Airlines Flight 11 (Visible In The Upper Right-Hand Corner Of The Photo) Approaches The North Tower Of The World Trade Center On September 11, 2001

    American Airlines Flight 11 (visible in the upper right-hand corner of the photo) approaches the north tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. This largely unknown triptych (the subsequent images follow), shot from a Brooklyn window, was part of an ongoing Internet art exhibition that displayed updated panoramas of downtown Manhattan every four seconds. A time code can be seen in the lower right-hand corner of each frame.

    Wolfgang Staehle Report

    Greg Hoggarth
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I recall there being very little footage of the first plane hitting, so this might be amongst that scarce record.

    Myxomatosis
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I watched it happen and just could not believe, "What??!!!" Then to find out that that very plane left from my hometown. I was immediately sick.

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    Marylou Sakosky
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here ...I have one you can treasure ..as it was intack..Keep yourself a copy..Pop was a pilot in the 60's so it is old 581516_101...a8fe02.jpg 581516_10151243411027664_358611256_n-59ba845a8fe02.jpg

    EmptySoul
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can't believe after so many years, these images still makes me so sad and vulnerable. Would you please stop cutting onions near me, I have sensitive eyes.

    RaroaRaroa
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have too much imagination. People sitting at their desks, going about their work. Glance out the window and see a plane heading straight for you. Those poor souls would have had but a moment to realise this was the end for them in the most unlikely of ways.

    Marie Grimes
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same. 😢 The first few years after 9/11 I obsessed over what those poor souls were thinking or doing in those final moments. I watched every piece of news footage, interview, documentary, etc that I could find. It was not good. I would spiral into a very dark place. 😰 Even after almost 20 years, as the anniversary approaches, it’s still hard not to go there in my mind. 😓 I want to honor those we lost that awful day but I know I have to find others things to distract me so I won’t go down that dark rabbit hole again. 🥺 Sorry that’s probably way more info than you wanted to know.

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    Johanna Zamora
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the only other image I've seen of the first plane, except for that video excerpt

    Rebekah
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Still takes my breath away. Such a horrible day.

    Jessica Mellor
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The top picture, the last moment before everything changed forever.

    Jessica Mellor
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The top picture : the last moment before everything changed, forever

    Crystal Temple
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To think this is probably the last photo of the towers, and heartbreaking to think what the passengers felt.

    Kat Frederick
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't buy it. Every 4 seconds? There should've been pic of plane hitting. Plane in pic.....questionable in my eyes.

    Marie Grimes
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nearly 20 years later these images still make me gasp, cause my heart to sink and leave me with a lump in my throat. 💔🥺😢 #NeverForget #September11 #FirstResponders #FallenHeroes

    izraul hidashi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah... only that wasn't flight 11. It's too bad most people aren't bright enough to check flight trackers for historical data. Every flight tracker with a history report shows that all 4 flights did not crash. The planes in NY were military drones. But don't my word for it, just check flightaware and see for yourself.

    Christina Mulkey
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually the today show caught the whole thing on camera and everyone watched in horror.

    Invid
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whoever photoshopped this did a good job

    Ima Klowne
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have never seen this incredible sequence of photos before. Speechless.

    Cynthia Phillips
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a scarce shot... so explosive... here is reality happening in... 12 seconds!

    Jude
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even less than 12 seconds, Cynthia. Frighteningly less. :(

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    Lululoohoo
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    literal chills through me as I look at these photos.

    Invid
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Whoever photosho

    Bob Neiro
    Community Member
    8 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    No planes could have caused such damage. IT's not my opinion. It's the opinion of the professional association of engineers

    Kerri Russ
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bull. Engineers and scientists the world over have proven time and again that the theories of the nutjob deniers are false. The planes were deliberately flown into the buildings by religious extremists to destroy a treasured monument to America's growth and wealth (as they saw it). They, and they alone, caused this to take out maximum American lives. Conspiracy theories mock the memory of those who lost their lives that day. Just stop it.

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    #7

    South Tower Of The World Trade Center Collapsing

    South Tower Of The World Trade Center Collapsing

    Bolivar Arellano Report

    EmptySoul
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    omg, this is so unreal. wonder how this person or camera survived. I have never seen any pic before captured at this angle showing tower collapse. OP must be couple of hundred meters near or less than the base of building.

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    #8

    The South Tower Disintegrates, Raining Debris Behind A Cross Atop Trinity Church

    The South Tower Disintegrates, Raining Debris Behind A Cross Atop Trinity Church

    James Nachtwey / VII for Time Report

    EmptySoul
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if that cross was still standing post both buildings collapsed.

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    #9

    Not Yet Realizing A Terrorist Attack Was In Progress, Architect And Amateur Pilot Isabel Daser, Eight Months Pregnant, Asked A Co-Worker To Take Her Portrait As A Record Of The Day

    Not Yet Realizing A Terrorist Attack Was In Progress, Architect And Amateur Pilot Isabel Daser, Eight Months Pregnant, Asked A Co-Worker To Take Her Portrait As A Record Of The Day

    Daser Bessler Report

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    #10

    The Second Plane Flew Directly Over My Head And Slammed Into The South Tower. It Took Me A Few Seconds To Get My Head Together, And This Was The Shot I Took

    The Second Plane Flew Directly Over My Head And Slammed Into The South Tower. It Took Me A Few Seconds To Get My Head Together, And This Was The Shot I Took

    Marc A. Garrett Report

    EmptySoul
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would probably print this and hang in my study as a reminder of world is not a fair place. So many peaceful and innocent lives were lost this day, so many people lost their loved ones, and for what?

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    #11

    I Was 4 Years Old And The Picture Was Taken Along The Westside Highway That Morning On 9/11

    I Was 4 Years Old And The Picture Was Taken Along The Westside Highway That Morning On 9/11

    AustinSansone Report

    Isabel Tamayo
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who would have thought? Walking on a busy street, the weather is nice and sunny. You click a picture of your son and suddenly see the tragedy at the background. Really sad.

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    #12

    A Lone Man Runs Down Broadway As A Smoke And Dust Cloud Comes Up The Street From The Collapsing World Trade Center Buildings In New York September 11, 2001

    A Lone Man Runs Down Broadway As A Smoke And Dust Cloud Comes Up The Street From The Collapsing World Trade Center Buildings In New York September 11, 2001

    Kelly Price Report

    Tracey Hunt
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be and feel alone, with that behind you. Absolutely devastating.

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    #13

    9/11

    9/11

    luke kurtis Report

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    #14

    Smoke Plumes Are Clearly Visible In This Landsat 7 Satellite Image Of New York City Made Early On September 12

    Smoke Plumes Are Clearly Visible In This Landsat 7 Satellite Image Of New York City Made Early On September 12

    NASA Report

    logical fallacy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the scariest accounts I've read on 9/11 is that of a woman who worked nearby and lived not-so-nearby. In her mind, the most horrifying was the smell of burnt debris and people that engulfed te city in the following days. I can see why now.

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    #15

    A Plane Explodes After Hitting The Second Tower Of The World Trade Center As The Other Tower Burns

    A Plane Explodes After Hitting The Second Tower Of The World Trade Center As The Other Tower Burns

    Sara K. Schwittek Report

    EmptySoul
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    O' dear lord, please spare me from seeing such images again in my lifetime, or my children or anyone after that. It scarred me for life, don't want to happen with this anyone, anymore.

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    #16

    Penman Got As Close To The Buildings As He Could, Before Police Put Up A Cordon. But That Meant He Was Right Next To The Buildings When The First Tower Collapsed

    Penman Got As Close To The Buildings As He Could, Before Police Put Up A Cordon. But That Meant He Was Right Next To The Buildings When The First Tower Collapsed

    Phil Penman Report

    Sophie G
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    how there was not more damage to the buildings surrounding them, or was there?

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    #17

    On A Brooklyn Rooftop Shortly After The Collapse Of The Twin Towers

    On A Brooklyn Rooftop Shortly After The Collapse Of The Twin Towers

    On a Brooklyn rooftop shortly after the collapse of the Twin Towers, Jenna Piccirillo and three-month-old Vaughan embody innocence and resilience, according to the photographer: “Life continues in the face of disaster . . . despite the horrors we inflict on one another.”

    Alex Webb/Magnum Photos Report

    EmptySoul
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    why I can't find anything to comment on this pic, is it because this picture is such a contrast of what is happening. One side is disaster, loss of innocent lives, and one side there is a new life booming and making its way into such unpredictable world. what thoughts must be going inside that mother's mind, only a mother would know.

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    #18

    The Photographer Considered This 9/11 Brooklyn Scene Too Tranquil At The Time. He Decided Not To Publish The Image Widely Until Four Years After The Attacks

    The Photographer Considered This 9/11 Brooklyn Scene Too Tranquil At The Time. He Decided Not To Publish The Image Widely Until Four Years After The Attacks

    Thomas Hoepker/Magnum Photos Report

    Monty Is Fiennes
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But what did it mean to them...no radio???...no news????...They may have thought it was an office fire...very much doubt they were aware of the tragedy and continued so casually....

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    #19

    Twin Towers Of The World Trade Center Burn Behind The Empire State Building

    Twin Towers Of The World Trade Center Burn Behind The Empire State Building

    Marty Lederhandler Report

    #20

    Several Buildings In The Trade Center Complex Collapsed Following A Terrorist Attack

    Several Buildings In The Trade Center Complex Collapsed Following A Terrorist Attack

    Petra Beter Report

    EmptySoul
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sometimes its so hard to believe those 2 buildings collapsed like dominos. It feels like it happened yesterday.

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