AMY GOODMAN: We begin today’s coverage by going back to September 11th, 2001, broadcasting for over six hours, Democracy Now! covered the attacks just blocks from Ground Zero. This is an excerpt of our radio broadcast from the firehouse on 9/11.

AMY GOODMAN: The latest news we have is that there have been widespread attacks that include at least three commercial jet crashes — we now believe perhaps four — three commercial jet crashes into significant buildings. In the first attack, a plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan shortly before 9:00, followed by another plane into the second tower about 20 minutes later. Both towers later collapsed. About an hour later, a plane crashed into the Pentagon, part of which later collapsed.

American Airlines told CNN that it lost two planes in tragic accidents: Flight 11 from Boston, with 81 passengers and 11 crew aboard, and Flight 77 from Washington Dulles airport, with 58 passengers and six crew aboard. Both planes were en route to Los Angeles. United Airlines Flight 93 airliner headed from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco crashed near Somerset, Pennsylvania. Police said initial reports indicated no survivors. It was not known if this was connected to the attacks. United also said it was deeply concerned about Flight 175 from Boston to Los Angeles.

The Pentagon, the White House, the State Department, the Justice Department, the Capitol, the CIA and all other government buildings in Washington have been evacuated. President Bush canceled an appearance in Florida to return to Washington, calling the crashes “apparent terrorist attacks” and “a national tragedy.” In the first ever national ground stop of aircraft, all flights nationwide have been stopped at their departure airports. All international flights were diverted to Canada.

In New York, more than 10,000 rescue personnel have rushed to the scene. The entire downtown area of Manhattan, the Mayor has recommended people evacuate, though we are in that area and certainly so are hundreds of thousands of other people. Israel has evacuated all its missions around the world. In Chicago, the Sears Tower was evacuated. The United Nations in New York has been evacuated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta was evacuated. CDC was preparing bio-terrorism teams in case they become necessary. The New York Port Authority says it has closed all bridges and tunnels into the city. Today is primary day in New York. These elections have been canceled.

AMY GOODMAN: An excerpt of our Democracy Now! broadcast September 11th, 2001.