Photos show the moment President George W. Bush first learned of the 9/11 attacks — and how the president's day unfolded

Photos show the moment President George W. Bush first learned of the 9/11 attacks — and how the president's day unfolded President George W. Bush on September 11, 2001. US National Archives On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush was visiting an elementary school and reading to the children when the second plane hit the World Trade Center in New York City.The school turned into a makeshift command center, and the president addressed the nation from the school before boarding Air Force One to get to a secure location.These photos from the US National Archives show how the 43rd president's day unfolded on 9/11. President George W. Bush participated in a reading demonstration on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida. President George W. Bush at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida. US National Archives Dan Bartlett, deputy assistant to the president, pointed to news footage of the attacks while Bush listened to new security information. Dan Bartlett with President George W. Bush on September 11, 2001. US National Archives Bush watched television coverage of the attacks on the World Trade Center during a briefing in the classroom. President George W. Bush during a briefing in a classroom at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida. US National Archives Bush took notes as he listened to news coverage of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. President George W. Bush responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks from Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida. US National Archives Bush called New York Gov. George Pataki, FBI Director Robert Mueller, and Vice President Dick Cheney. White House Chief of Staff Andy Card spoke on a cellphone. President George W. Bush on the phone on September 11, 2001. US National Archives A highway sign on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, read, "All crossings to New York closed." A highway sign on September 11, 2001. US National Archives Bush watched television coverage of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center from his office aboard Air Force One. President George W. Bush aboard Air Force One on September 11, 2001. US National Archives Bush conferred with White House Chief of Staff Andy Card in the president's stateroom on Air Force One. President George W. Bush with White House Chief of Staff Andy Card aboard Air Force One on September 11, 2001. US National Archives Bush spoke with his staff by telephone as Air Force One flew from Sarasota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. President George W. Bush on the phone from his office aboard Air Force One on September 11, 2001. US National Archives Senior staff huddled in Bush's office aboard the presidential jet. President George W. Bush with staff in his office aboard Air Force One. US National Archives Bush and his staff looked out the windows of Air Force One at their F-16 escort while en route to Barksdale Air Force Base. President Bush with staff members aboard Air Force One. US National Archives An F-16 fighter jet escorted Air Force One. An F-16 flew alongside Air Force One on September 11, 2001. US National Archives Offutt is a highly secure underground command center that can withstand a nuclear attack. President George W. Bush walked off Air Force One at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. He didn't immediately go to Washington, DC, as it was under threat. US National Archives Bush, Adm. Richard Mies, and White House Chief of Staff Andy Card conducted a video teleconference at the base. President George W. Bush, Adm. Richard Mies (left), and White House Chief of Staff Andy Card at Offutt Air Force Base. US National Archives Back on Air Force One, Bush and White House counsel Harriet Miers linked arms as the plane headed to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. President George W. Bush and Harriet Miers aboard Air Force One. US National Archives Bush spoke with Ari Fleischer and Karl Rove aboard Air Force One during the flight. President George W. Bush with Ari Fleischer (left) and Karl Rove aboard Air Force One. US National Archives After departing Offutt Air Force Base for Washington, DC, Bush spoke on the phone with Vice President Dick Cheney from Air Force One. President George W. Bush on the phone with Vice President Dick Cheney from Air Force One. US National Archives National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice waited at the South Portico for Bush to arrive at the White House. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice at the White House on September 11, 2001. US National Archives Counselor Karen Hughes and counsel Alberto Gonzales followed Bush into the Oval Office after his return to the White House. Counselor Karen Hughes and Counsel Alberto Gonzales with President George W. Bush at the White House. US National Archives Working with his senior staff, Bush reviewed the speech he would deliver to the nation that evening. President George W. Bush with staff members at the White House. US National Archives Bush spoke with Cheney in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, a secure bunker located beneath the White House. President George W. Bush with Vice President Dick Cheney in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center on September 11, 2001. US National Archives Laura Bush was also brought to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. First lady Laura Bush in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center on September 11, 2001. US National Archives The president and first lady spoke with Cheney and Rice in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. President George W. Bush and Laura Bush with Vice President Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. US National Archives Bush also met with Special Agent Carl Truscott of the US Secret Service. President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Chief of Staff Andy Card, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, and Special Agent Carl Truscott of the US Secret Service in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. US National Archives Bush reviewed notes with Hughes before addressing the nation from the Oval Office. President George W. Bush with Karen Hughes in the Oval Office. US National Archives Bush delivered his televised address, saying, "These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve." President George W. Bush addressed the nation from the Oval Office on the evening of September 11, 2001. US National Archives After addressing the nation, Bush returned to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center to meet with members of his National Security Council. President George W. Bush with members of his National Security Council in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center of the White House. US National Archives Read next David Choi was a former Insider senior news reporter based in California, covering foreign affairs and politics. He profiled Democratic presidential candidates in the 2020 election, interviewed pardoned war criminals, and covered the Trump administration. Choi previously served in the US Army and California Army National Guard. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he majored in political science.