George W. Bush shares painting of moment he learned of 9/11 attack

On September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush was delivering a reading session to elementary school children at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida when the second plane struck the World Trade Center. The school transformed into an impromptu command center, where the president addressed the nation from the classroom before boarding Air Force One to reach a secure location.

Deputy Assistant to the President Dan Bartlett informed Bush of the attacks via television news footage during the briefing. Bush listened to new security information while taking notes, and he called New York Governor George Pataki, FBI Director Robert Mueller, and Vice President Dick Cheney. White House Chief of Staff Andy Card also engaged in a telephone conversation.

Bush gave his first televised address to the nation from the elementary school, discussing the terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. He then boarded Air Force One, where he conversed with his staff by phone as the aircraft flew from Sarasota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Air Force One was escorted by an F-16 fighter jet throughout the journey.

Upon arrival at Barksdale Air Force Base, Bush and his team conferred and reviewed security measures, as the facility was designed to withstand a nuclear attack. He delivered more remarks on the World Trade Center disaster before departing for Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Offutt served as a highly secure underground command center immune to nuclear strikes.