Asked how the tragedies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania have affected them in the year since, a random sample of Americans, some interviewed outside the Sears Tower, the tallest US office building, said the following:
"My life hasn't changed that much because my business and my life are not affected by things like daily air travel. But I think every American was affected emotionally. There is so much anger because we were defiled, assaulted, invaded. I'm more cynical about people than I was before. I certainly trust less.
"On September 11... my day will go on as normal. I'll remember for a moment and say a prayer. I won't dwell on it."- Donna Martinez, 50, Milwaukee, president of American Ornamental Iron Steel Co.
"My husband is a firefighter (and) my brother, Greg Potter, is too. I guess until September 11 it never struck me so much how our husbands' lives are on the line all the time. Oh sure, it scares me being a wife when he goes off to fight fires. But I feel they are very well trained ... my husband says that if we had the same situation they did at the World Trade Centre, he would go right up those stairs the way they did in New York even knowing all the risks involved.
"We haven't been to New York since September 11, but we definitely intend to go there on vacation. On Wednesday I'll attend a memorial procession." - Laura Marshall, 31, Cincinnati, insurance broker and wife of Fire Lieutenant Mark Marshall.
"Mostly I think I've lost my optimism for the future. Having lived through Vietnam and the end of the Cold War, I really thought we were on the verge of a safer, more rational, more democratic world. I don't think that since 9/11. I can see the rest of my life being lived under the siege of terrorism and under the cloud of the war on terrorism.
"How will I spend the anniversary? At the airports and on airplanes, working. And I have to admit it's almost a reflex action. A whole year has gone by and I'm not sure I've really taken the time to grieve. I lost some friends in the towers on 9/11 and knew one or two of the people in the flight crews who died on the four planes. It's almost as like I've spent the last year running and rushing and doing things just to avoid having to deal with the personal side of the tragedy. And working, going from city to city on 9/11/2002 may just be another way to keep ducking the inevitable day of emotional reckoning." - Joe Brancatelli, online business travel columnist, Cold Spring, New York.
"People have become more united. You see a lot more flags. It's sad that you don't see them that much, unless a tragedy like that happens. Like Desert Storm - everybody had flags, and then they disappeared. I'm more aware of family. You want to spend time with your kids because you never know when something like that is going to happen. They could be gone in the blink of an eye.
" My son is in a play at our church called 'Amerikids'. It's basically on God and our country, and why the pilgrims came over here originally, and why we're free."- Crystal Scott, 25, stay-at-home mother, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
"In the past year we've gotten cell phones. Not specifically because of that, but because we realised that in an emergency we had a hard time getting hold of everyone. So cell phones have given us that ability. My daughter, she's seven, she knows something happened. We never really discuss it until she starts asking questions. We don't want to, I guess. With all the images that are going on on TV right now, I don't know what the school is going to do... It is difficult to know how old your child has to be before you can really discuss it.
"My kids (today) are going to go to school, as normal. My husband is going to go to work. I am going to go to classes myself - probably try to stay as normal as possible, but also use cell phones, be connected." - Michelle Bucy, 34, Columbus, Ohio, a part-time student and stay-at-home mother.
"I'm of the belief that you just have to keep doing what you would normally do, and not let them put terror in us. (But) it's an awareness, and a loss of innocence. You used to just go wherever you wanted, whenever you wanted. It's almost like every time you're in a tall building now, you sort of have it in the back of your head.
"My husband and I, we were on the fence about owning guns, and we own two now (for self-defence). Basically, if all else fails, that's really your last shot, I guess. I think the loss of innocence is knowing you're not safe wherever you go, whoever you are." - Jill Fales, 31, former teacher now stay-at-home mother, Orange County, California.
"I'm more grateful about things and appreciate life a little better and I don't take everything for granted like before, such as security and safety. I think a lot of things changed during that time but I think in some aspects we have gone back to being complacent.
"I am going to work (today) and we're actually observing that day in a moment of silence and wearing red, white and blue." - Adrienne Bolton, customer services representative, Chicago.
"My son is in the Navy now, so you think about it (terrorism) a lot more now. It even crosses my mind with him walking the street... with him being more of a target now. He actually joined before (the attacks). He was still in high school, and he had the option that if he applied to college and got an acceptance letter, that he could be dismissed from his sign-up. But he decided that he wanted to, even more now than before. I think these guys, they're even more extra-special, joining in during these troubled times." - Barbara Bamsch, bank worker, Georgetown, Texas, mother of US Navy sailor Aaron Bamsch.
"My sister and I were talking yesterday and we've noticed since 9/11 people are much friendlier, didn't honk their horns and greeted everyone. There is a significant difference apparently in that feeling of community and kindness that occurred after the incident.
"(For today) I haven't yet planned it. I may simply watch television which I think is a very good way to get in touch with the community that's recalling that day. There may be a service at my church, possibly. I will definitely be doing something to recall that day." - Carol Sontag, retired School Teacher, Detroit.
"I don't see any grand scheme in death except that the events of the twin towers tragedy have made me more aware of how fragile our civil liberties are.
"The person who stays home recalling those horrors of last year and feeling sick about it exhibits more humanity than all of the people who go out waving flags for others to see."- Edward Morris, 66, writer, Nashville, Tennessee.