As bells tolled solemnly, Americans marked the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Wednesday with the reading of the names, moments of silence and serene music that have become tradition.

These photos and video capture the essence of how the somber occassion was marked in cities across the nation.

See World Trade Center rise from the ashes in this time-lapse video

This two-minute video shows nine years of work on what could become the tallest building in North America when it reopens, from initial foundation work to the addition of the spire earlier this year.Learn more about EarthCam and see time-lapse videos of other construction projects, including the recently reopened Bay Bridge in San Francisco, post-earthquake repairs on the Washington Monument and the reconstruction of a Sandy-demolished section of New Jersey boardwalk.