Remembering 9/11: Andrew Card on the moment everything changed

September 6, 2026 / 9:39 AM EDT / CBS News

Remembering 9/11: Andrew Card on the moment everything changed

TL;DR

  • President George W. Bush was informed of the 9/11 attacks by Chief of Staff Andy Card while at Emma E. Booker Elementary School.
  • The moment of notification, whispered in the President's ear, became an iconic image symbolizing a shift in national events.
  • Andy Card reflects on his decision to inform the President with limited information, aiming to keep a calm demeanor for the second-graders.
  • Kay Daniels, the teacher, recalls the palpable shift in the President's demeanor and the unforgettable nature of that day.
  • Stephen Siller Jr. shares his personal connection to 9/11 through his father, a firefighter who perished, and his work with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
  • Efforts are underway to educate younger generations about 9/11, including the display of a steel beam from the World Trade Center.
  • Both Card and Siller Jr. emphasize the importance of remembering 9/11 and fulfilling the promise to never forget.