It was a day to remember the lives lost during the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

The annual ceremony in New York City read the names of the thousands of people who died not only in 2001, but also in the attack on the World Trade Center in 1993.

At Ground Zero, survivors, first responders, and victims' families attended the annual reading.

The ceremony began at the time when the first hijacked airplane hit the first tower and includes moments of silence for each time a plane hit the towers and when the towers ultimately fell.

Ceremonies were held in Upstate New York as well as the rest of the country.

Binghamton Fire Captain Tim O'Neill remembers watching the events on a fire station TV soon after the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

"And then the second plane hit, and things just became surreal at the time, and the events of the day just progressed and it was unbelievable," said O’Neill.

Tuesday, O'Neill and his colleagues participated in a moment of silence in Binghamton to honor the victims.

 

 
 It was a similar occurrence in Utica, where community members joined officials to reflect on the tragic day.

 

Vanessa Kauth Graham lost her brother, who worked inside one of the towers.

"It's difficult for me to come to these, but it's important to remember the first responders and that they help save lives," said Graham.

In Syracuse, police officers and firefighters joined local dignitaries to commemorate 17 minutes of silence. The 17 minutes reflects the amount of time that separated the first and second planes hitting the towers.

 

 

"I know for me personally, it's a sobering moment,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. "And it is a moment to reflect, so it's very important that as we get back to our daily lives, that we take this time to reflect."