For some unknown reason, I awoke around three-thirty this morning. The house was silent, so I'm not sure what brought me to consciousness. Anyway, I finally gave up trying to go back to sleep and turned on the television from bed.

MSNBC was re-playing the original Today Show broadcast that aired on the morning of September 11, 2001. While every aspect about that day was horrifying, I think the worst for me was imagining people aboard the planes knowing they were going to a certain death and the workers sitting in the Twin Towers doing their jobs as the jets hit. The terror of it all was simply incomprehensible.

However, the resiliency and courage of rescue personnel and other people afterwards was just as amazing. The determination of family members, friends and co-workers left behind to mourn but not forget the victims contrasted vividly with the cowardice of the terrorists who perpetuated events on that day.

The History Channel also ran a series of programs and documentaries to mark the ninth anniversary of 9/11.

To see a selection of stunning imagery from the day, visit Like An Orb.