On Sept. 11, 2001, 9/11 attack reports were on nearly every television and radio. Airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon. Three thousand people lost their lives, according the BBC. Even if direct family members were not involved, most Americans distinctly remember 9/11.

Around 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center after American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m., according to CNN.

While attending Columbia University, Spanish teacher Alexandra Murphy gathered around the television with her peers.

“Because Manhattan is arched, you can’t see down to the World Trade Center, but you can see smoke,” Murphy said. “It was an eerie feeling because none of us really understood what was happening. My mom and I watched the news as we watched the plane hit the second building.”

9/11 had already began due to time zones, so Californians were in shock hearing about the attacks.

American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon at 9:43 a.m. Hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania at 10:10 a.m. after passengers attempted to fly to safety, according to Huffington Post.

“The [plane] crashed in Pennsylvania where [the passengers] tried to rescue and divert the plane away from the next target,” Chinese teacher Peggy Chu said. “It was a disaster, but they tried to make a difference.”

Everyone from teenagers to young adults was speechless, as 9/11 was an unprecedented attack at the time.

“It definitely made me more interested in the world and current events,” social studies teacher Katie Wi said. “Because I was so confused, it forced me to learn more and forced me to start reading the news and paying attention.”

Seventeen years after 9/11, Americans commemorate with a tribute and volunteer events at local organizations. The Pretend City Children’s Museum and Nixon Presidential Library are holding Day of Remembrance events.