[ad_1]
Two powerful columns of light rise skyward from Lower Manhattan tonight to represent the fallen twin towers of the World Trade Center that was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001.
The coronavirus pandemic meant that there were alterations to the usual ceremonies that traditionally take place on the tragic date.
In New York, the annual tribute was nearly canceled after the September 11 Memorial and Museum said there was a virus risk to the installation team until the uproar restored the tribute.
The cancellation outraged the families of some of the victims, police, fire unions and politicians, who pointed out that construction sites around the city were deemed safe to reopen months ago.
The Fire Department cited the virus in urging members to skip observance of the 2001 attacks that killed 2,977 people, including nearly 350 firefighters.
Scroll down to see the video
The Tribute in Light shines in the sky over Manhattan in New York to mark the 19th anniversary of the September 11 attacks
Rays of light shine in the night sky over one of the huge pools found in the ‘footprints’ of the original towers.
The Statue of Liberty is seen as the Tribute to Light shines in downtown Manhattan to mark the 19th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The Tribute to Light seen from Brooklyn with the Brooklyn Bridge in the foreground and reflections of the East River
Tribute in Light, two vertical columns of light representing the fallen towers of the World Trade Center shine against the lower Manhattan skyline as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey
After the Tunnel to Towers Foundation said it would organize the exhibit on its own, Governor Andrew Cuomo and former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, the monument’s billionaire president, stepped in to keep the monument-sponsored lights on.
“This year it is especially important that we all appreciate and commemorate September 11, the lives lost and the heroism shown as New Yorkers are once again called to face a common enemy,” Cuomo said in a statement.
‘I understand the museum’s concern for health and safety, and I appreciate your reconsideration. The state will provide health personnel to monitor and make sure the event takes place safely and at the same time it will be properly respected on September 11. We will never forget.’
The annual tribute in light of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum was initially canceled this year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reversed this decision and announced that the state will provide health personnel and supervision to maintain the lighting installation.
The Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center look like the Tribute in Light shines down in downtown Manhattan
Roses are seen at the 9/11 Memorial as the Tribute in Light art installation shines in the sky over Manhattan on Friday night.
Firefighters from the New York Fire Department (FDNY) stand in their truck outside the September 11 Memorial as the Tribute in Light art installation glows in the Manhattan sky.
Family members of some victims say they understand that ground zero observance had to change in a year when so many other things have.
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum also canceled its tradition of family members reading the names of the dead aloud and instead offered a recording to those gathered at the World Trade Center site.
According to the September 11 Memorial and Museum, the twin beams are made up of 88 7,000-watt xenon bulbs that are placed in two 48-foot squares, echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Tower.
The lights stretch four miles into the sky and can be seen from a 60-mile radius around Lower Manhattan.
The Tribute in Light lit up at dusk on Friday and will light up the sky overnight until dawn on Saturday.
The glass and robbery towers of Lower Manhattan’s financial center are dwarfed by the towering beams of the Tribute in Light
A white rose is seen at the 9/11 Memorial as the Tribute in Light art installation glows in the night sky
The buildings of lower Manhattan sparkle with the Tribute in Light towering over the iconic city skyline.
Another view of the moving tribute as seen from the Brooklyn side of the East River, looking at downtown Manhattan
The Tribute in Light are images seen from the New York borough of Queens
Lady Liberty are images holding her golden torch directly in the center of the two powerful rays of light as part of the tribute.
People take time to view the memorial on the 19th anniversary of the attacks, seen from Jersey City across the Hudson River.
Even from a couple of miles away, the lights can be seen as they illuminate the night sky in the largest city in the country.
