As the sun set over Manhattan on Friday - 14 years after the horrific events of 9/11 - New York looked to the heavens.
'Tribute in Light' - a symbol of the Twin Towers, the nearly 3,000 Americans who died in the terror attacks, and the people who fought to save them and rebuild the city - has brightly beamed into the sky every year since the atrocities on September 11, 2001.
This year the blue twin beams reached four miles into the sky and were the strongest shafts of light ever projected from Earth, according to the Municipal Art Society, which produces the display.
The public art piece - designed by John Bennett, Gustavo Bonevardi, Richard Nash Gould, Julian Laverdiere, Paul Myoda and Paul Marantz - involved 88 high-powered bulbs working at 7,000 watts.
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Beaming bright and blue: The 'Tribute in Lights' memorial that is lit every year near the former site of the World Trade Center towers is turned on Friday night to mark the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York
This year the public art piece - designed by John Bennett, Gustavo Bonevardi, Richard Nash Gould, Julian Laverdiere, Paul Myoda and lighting designer Paul Marantz - involved 88 high-powered bulbs working at 7,000 watts
Spectacular: Crowds gather to see the 'Tribute in Lights' memorial blast four miles into the sky on the 14th anniversary of 9/11
The Tribute in Light installation is seen from One World Observatory, the observation deck at One World Trade Center, in Lower Manhattan in New York September 11, 2015
People visited the recently opened viewing destination on Friday, which marked the 14th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The Tribute in Light is an annually lit feature commemorating the 9/11 attacks
People peer through the windows at One World Observatory, the observation deck at One World Trade Center, as the Tribute in Light installation shines in Lower Manhattan in New York September 11, 2015
People peer through the windows at One World Observatory, the observation deck at One World Trade Center toward the Tribute in Light
The 'Tribute in Lights' memorial that is lit every year near the former site of the World Trade Center towers to mark the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York on Friday night.
The 'Tribute to Light' is viewed from the observatory at One World Trade Center on Friday night in New York City
. The annual lights tribute to the two World Trade Center towers has been viewed in New York since March 11, 2002
Throughout the nation today people are holding somber gatherings and memorial events to reflect on the day 14 years ago that resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 people and changed America forever
Time to turn around: A visitor to the World Trade Center complex in New York sits in the grass as a Tribute in Light rises from behind the surrounding buildings
The September 11 Tribute in Light rises from the New York City skyline as seen from the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of the Brooklyn Borough of New York City
The 'Tribute in Lights' memorial that is lit every year near the former site the World Trade Center towers to mark the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in Brooklyn
Fourteen years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, we honor those we lost. We salute all who serve to keep us safe. We stand as strong as ever.
President Barack Obama
Tribute in Light is assembled each year on a roof near the World Trade Center site, switching on at sunset and staying illuminated until sunrise. It first launched on March 11, 2012, six months after the attacks.
As the morning started on Friday, a solemn silence swept the nation when President Obama and first lady Michelle walked out on to the lawn of the White House and bowed their heads at 8:46am - the moment the first plane struck the north tower on that sunny September day 14 years ago.
'Fourteen years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, we honor those we lost. We salute all who serve to keep us safe. We stand as strong as ever,' Obama tweeted Friday morning.
Hundreds of survivors, first responders and victims' family members gathered at the the World Trade Center memorial for the annual ceremony to read the names of those who perished at Ground Zero.
'We come every year. The crowds get smaller, but we want to be here. As long as I'm breathing, I'll be here,' said Tom Acquaviva, 81, who lost his son, Paul Acquaviva, a systems analyst who was in the north tower.
For Nereida Valle, who lost her daughter, Nereida De Jesus: 'It's the same as if it was yesterday. I feel her every day.'
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama pause on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on Friday, September 11, 2015, as they observed a moment of silence to mark the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
The president will be observing the anniversary with a visit to Fort Meade, Maryland later today, in recognition of the military's work to protect the country
'Fourteen years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, we honor those we lost. We salute all who serve to keep us safe. We stand as strong as ever,' President Obama tweeted Friday morning.
White House staff listen as a bugler plays 'Taps' during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on Friday, September 11, 2015, with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama to observe the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist
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