Ten years ago on the morning of September 11, the entire world was shocked when four jet planes were hijacked by terrorists.  The first plane hit the World Trade Center’s North Tower at 8:46 AM, the South Tower was hit at 9:03 AM, the Pentagon was hit at 9:37 AM and the fourth plane, which was believed to be set to crash at the White House, crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 AM after passengers fought off the hijackers.  Almost 3,000 people died but the majority of them were from the Twin Tower buildings of the World Trade Center.

America was devastated.  The whole country mourned for their lost.  The whole world extended their sympathies and mourned for all the victims of the tragedy.  It was hard to imagine how America could recover from such a tragedy.  But America did.  Americans rose to the challenge and proved to the world that they are strong enough to get their lives, to move on and push forward.

And yesterday, the 10th year anniversary of the tragedy was commemorated by America.  “A Concert of Hope” delivered for everyone to remember all the victims of the tragedy and how America picked itself up.  The concert was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  President Barack Obama delivered a speech that ignited the hope in everyone’s hearts.

“These past 10 years tell a story of resilience. Our people still work in skyscrapers. Our stadiums are filled with fans, and our parks full of children playing ball. Our airports hum with travel, and our buses and subways take millions where they need to go. Families sit down to Sunday dinner, and students prepare for school. This land pulses with the optimism of those who set out for distant shores, and the courage of those who died for human freedom.”

“They will know that nothing can break the will of a truly United States of America.  They will remember that we have overcome slavery and Civil War, we have overcome bread lines and fascism, and recession and riots, communism and, yes, terrorism.  They will be reminded that we are not perfect, but our democracy is durable, and that democracy – reflecting, as it does, the imperfections of man – also gives us the opportunity to perfect our union.”– President Barack Obama

There were a lot of ways the tragedy was remembered.  Some visited the sites of the tragedy, some did it on Facebook and Twitter and some made mobile apps for it.

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum updated its iPhone app for the 10th year anniversary.  Explore 9/11 provides users an audio and visual presentation of the tragedy as well as how Ground Zero looks presently as well as giving people hope for the future.

Steve Rosenbaum, the filmmaker responsible for “7 Days in September” created an app for iPhones, iPads and Android devices is available for free.  The app, 110 Stories, allows users to see the Twin Towers again when they point their devices to where the towers used to stand tall.  After taking a photo, the app asks users to upload their photo and share their stories about the towers and the people lost when the towers collapsed.

“I kept feeling like I’d only told half the story. I’d created the world’s largest archive of 9/11 videos, but the story of how the country and the site re-built was important, maybe more important.  The disadvantage [of an app] is that you don’t control how people enter, exit and explore the story,” says Rosenbaum. “If you’re an author with a strong point of view about the conclusions you want your readers to take from the story, then the lack of control can be frustrating. But for me, it was exactly what I wanted readers to have. Control of their journey. So they can explore 9/11 from their personal point of view.”

“The 911 Memorial: Past, Present and Future” app for iPads was created by Rosenbaum as well.  This give users an in depth view of the past, present and future of the site, as well as exclusive interviews from the creator of the Memorial, and never before seen clips of the attack and some clips from his movie.

Android devices also have apps commemorating the event aside from the 110 Stories, android users can also download 9/11 Memorial Guide which is a multi-layer app that allows one to search names or groups in the memorial as well as an explanation as to how the names were arranged and where they are placed in the memorial; 9/11 Day of Service is an app that gives details of how US businesses and communities paid their tribute; Twin Towers 9/11 LWP and Never Forget 9\11 Live Wallpaper are apps that features visual presentation that you can save on your mobile device.

Though people appreciated the 9/11 apps, some suggested that app developers should’ve included data regarding the crash in Pentagon and in Pennsylvania to make the apps complete.

We at SiliconANGLE send our sincerest regards to everyone who lost friends, families, loved ones, co-workers and acquaintances in the tragedy.  There will always be hope even in our darkest hours and we will always fight back to overcome adversities.