19 years ago on the morning of September 11 2001, millions of Americans woke up to shocking images of New York City’s iconic Twin Towers ablaze. By the end of the day it became apparent that the nation had been the target of a terror attack of unprecedented scale.

Al-Qaeda’s co-ordinated attacks on the United States resulted in 2,977 fatalities – the single-deadliest terror attack in history – causing international outrage and leading to then US President George W. Bush’s war on terror.

Ceremonies at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza, the Pentagon and Stonycreek, Pennsylvania – the site of the attacks – are set to take place on Friday.