Across the country, Americans marked the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, tolling church bells, pausing in silence to reflect and mourning the loss of the nearly 3,000 people who died.

On the White House South Lawn, President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama bowed their heads at 8:46 a.m., the moment the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. They later laid a wreath at the Pentagon, where the third plane struck. A flag was draped over the building to mark the day.

The Tribute in Light is illuminated next to the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center during events marking the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, September 10, 2012. via REUTERS/Gary Hershorn.