The morning that changed America forever started out as any other morning in New York City. Everything changed when two planes taken over by terrorists intentionally flew into the twin towers, forcing them to tumble down to the ground and causing debris to rain down on the city, covering everything in sight. Almost 3,000 people died leaving many others injured and emotionally scarred for the rest of their lives. It is hard to know exactly how the victims in the twin towers felt that day, but through photographs and videos many of the effects of this tragic day can be witnessed. The people caught in the rain of debris had to run for their lives so they would not be trapped in the dust clouds. There were also many citizens who felt it was their duty to help, voluntarily and stoically marching into the chaos to assist people in need. One photograph from 9/11 depicts people leaving the scene of the fallen towers. In this picture, there are four people with their arms around each other. Also in this photograph, a couple can be seen walking wearily away from the cloud of dust behind them, hands intertwined. In the right corner of this image there is man being handed a water bottle. In this photograph of 9/11 by James Nachtwey, symbols and color show that although a horrible tragedy was occurring, the people of New York City did not give up and helped one another get to safety. 

Color in photographs is an indicator that can help people to understand what is happening in the image and the emotions being displayed within it. The lady holding the man's hand in the photo has blood running down the front of her shirt. This red blood can signify many different meanings. The amount of blood symbolizes serious injuries and the physical turmoil that people felt. The red color of the blood evokes feelings of sadness and simultaneously hopefulness for this lady. The color red also reminds people viewing this photo of the tragedy that occurred that day as well as the trauma that was caused by its' occurrence. Red evokes sadness because it makes the viewer think of the large quantity of that blood and lives that were lost on September 11, 2001 in New York City. Contrastingly, red also evokes hopefulness because it allows the audience to hope that the woman depicted in this image will be able to sustain the injuries she suffered, unlike many others that day. Throughout history, red is a color that has come to represent many different emotions, ideas, and virtues. Often, red is a color that represents passion. In this image for example, the woman holds her companion's hand throughout the tough time they are simultaneously enduring; this provides emotional as well as physical support and provides as much comfort to both her partner and herself as she possibly can. The color red also symbolizes danger and love. She is in physical danger from her injuries, yet she shows her love by holding the man's hand. Red is a very powerful color. This woman is clearly suffering with wounds and is dripping with blood, yet she fights through and does not give up. Although blood is only on the lady's shirt and does not take up a lot of space in the photo, it represents a lot more than one might realize before analyzing this photo. Everyone is going through a struggle, and the red proves how many different emotions are occurring at once as well as the chaotic environment that was present during this day. 

While red is such a compelling color in the photo, gray is also very prominent. The majority of the photograph is covered in gray debris. This color is spread throughout the whole photo, whether it is on the people or in the air. Gray typically represents sadness and depression. Gray also portrays chaos, because the color can be considered as the impure version of white. It illustrates how impure the air was, the debris that took over this area, and the attacks of 9/11. In the hours following the plane crash, people inhaled dust and filth that surrounded ground zero and had to strive to catch a single breath of air and survive. Sadness is represented throughout the entire photo because instead of the background being taken over by a rainbow of colors, it is completely gray. Even though all of the gray debris was everywhere, the people did not give up. They held onto each other, struggled, and did not stop fighting.

There were many firefighters and other volunteers who helped the victims make it out alive, and they did everything possible to contribute. In this photo there is a man wearing a glove handing a water bottle to a victim who is covered in debris. This victim is clearly affected by the terror attacks, and other citizens are doing everything in their power to help him during this tragedy. The small act of handing a bottle of water to someone in dire need is one out of thousands of ways that people were helping each other to recover and to make the best of what they can from the situation. By helping each other and providing support, they are staying strong no matter what.

A man and a woman in this photograph are holding hands. Together they are staying strong and fighting through all of the difficulties associated with day the twin towers were attacked, even though the circumstances are not ideal. Whether these two citizens are a couple or two citizens simply helping each other out, it portrays unity in the victims and represents how they all strived to support each other on this day. The intertwining of the hands shows that the people are physically and emotionally staying strong together and helping each other. Physical touch can help a person calm down, and by the two of the victims of this tragedy holding hands they are showing the other that they are unified together. By staying together and clinging to one another, the woman and man in the image represent many of the other hundreds of thousands of victims this day claimed. They also represent the unity, patriotism, and togetherness that all of America felt during this tragedy and for many years to come.

The day of 9/11 will forever affect The United States. Victims of the terrorist attacks will always be remembered and respected. The survivors put up such a strong fight and set an example for the rest of the country to show that it is important to never give up no matter what circumstances they are under. Photographers captured so many crucial moments that help depict the tragedy that occurred on that day. The photograph taken by James Nachtwey has symbols and a color scheme that shows citizens never gave up hope and stuck together. Even though America will never be the same after this tragic event, this photograph serves to illustrate the unity that presides in America to this day.

