Remember the fallen.

Blue sky Tuesday morning here in Melbourne. Wish it were raining.

Before.

Construction of the World Trade Center began in 1966 and the towers were officially opened in 1973 when I was 7 years old. I can't claim to have many memories of seeing the buildings going up, but me and my 4th grade classmates got a spectacular view during a visit to the Statue of Liberty in 1976 (I have photos, but they're back in the States). I also remember the hubbub surrounding the North Tower becoming the tallest building in the world, passing the Empire State Building in the process and garnering snickers to the effect of 'They're tall, but they ain't no Empire State'. When I worked in lower Manhattan WTC was where I took the PATH train and walked through the Financial District to my office in and art deco building on Exchange Place. It was part of my commute. Until it wasn't.

The NY Times has a typically authoritative 9/11 section -- I came across these photos in a remarkable online photo album called The Towers' Rise and Fall.
9 October 1970
12 July 1971
3 April 1973
29 November 1973
4 July 1986
The towers from the NJ meadowlands.
The observation deck in December 2000.
10 September 2011