1st Anniversary of 7/7
- Thread starter JonB2004
- Start date
You're very right JonB, a sad day, I remember it clearly, I was actually online on this very board when I heard the news.
Very sad.
Very sad.
RE: 1st Anniversary of 7/
I remember it well too. I was at home when we heard about it. At the time we didn't have cable, so I had to wait for the noon news to come on. At first, I thought it was in London, Ontario because I had heard something on the radio.
That was an awful event. Let's hope that never happens again.
I remember it well too. I was at home when we heard about it. At the time we didn't have cable, so I had to wait for the noon news to come on. At first, I thought it was in London, Ontario because I had heard something on the radio.
That was an awful event. Let's hope that never happens again.
The Times July 07, 2006
7/7: one year on
At noon, nation keeps two minutes' silence
By Alan Hamilton
FIRST there was New York, then Bali, then Madrid. But a year ago today London and the rest of Britain awoke to the awful realisation that Islamic terrorism was not a faraway phenomenon.
Fifty two innocent people died when four suicide bombers brought their evil intent to the heart of one of the most cosmopolitan and tolerant cities on Earth.
Among the dead was Shahara Islam (pictured on the front page), a devout Muslim who worked as a cashier at the Co-operative Bank. Shahara straddled the Muslim and Western worlds, going to the mosque every Friday while enjoying Western independence and fashion.
Today the families of the dead will join survivors of that terrible day in a series of acts of quiet remembrance. The nation is being asked to observe two minutes’ silence at midday in honour of the victims. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will observe the silence during an Order of the Thistle service in St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh.
In London, commemorations will be low-key, and many will be private. Security will be tight for fear of an anniversary attack. British Transport police with dogs have reappeared in force on the Underground and at mainline terminals this week. Anti-terror officers have given warning in recent days that the police were still at full stretch in combat against the “sinister” terrorist threat.
Today’s events will begin during the morning rush hour at King’s Cross station, where the four bombers arrived on a Thameslink train from their rendezvous in Luton.
At 8.50am, the time at which the three Tube bombs exploded, Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, and Peter Hendy, the London Transport Commissioner, will lay flowers outside the station, at a spot that attracted thousands of bouquets, cards and other tributes immediately after the attack. Mr Livingstone and Mr Hendy will move on to Tavistock Square, where they will lay flowers at 9.47, the time at which Hasib Hussain detonated his bomb on a bus.
At 11.30 memorial plaques will be unveiled at five locations: Tavistock Square; Aldgate station, where Shehzad Tanweer detonated his bomb; Edgware Road station, where Mohammad Sidique Khan detonated his; and at King’s Cross and Russell Square stations, between which Jermaine Lindsay exploded his device on the Piccadilly Line.
The bereaved will pay their respects at each station, after which survivors will carry out their own vigil. Transport for London is hosting a private lunch for families and friends of the victims, after which they will attend a ceremony at the Museum of London to hand over a book of tributes, before taking part in a private service at St Ethelburga’s Church in the City.
The highest-profile event takes place in Regent’s Park in the early evening, when 1,000 people are expected to attend a televised service. Peter Donaldson, the BBC Radio 4 newsreader, will recite the names of the dead, and the London Gospel Choir will sing Bridge over Troubled Water and other songs, including Song of Doves, written by the father of Helen Jones, 28, who died in the King’s Cross explosion.
The centrepiece of the event will be a tribute in the shape of a flower with seven petals. Throughout the day members of the public will be invited to lay purple carnations, and the survivors and the bereaved will lay yellow gerberas. The bereaved and the survivors chose the flowers. Their main concern was that floral tributes should not be red or white.
The July 7 Assistance Centre helpline will remain open until Monday evening on 0845 054 7444. Paulo Pimentel, director of the centre, said: “The anniversary is going to be an incredibly difficult time for many people, particularly for the families of victims and for survivors, whether or not they were physically injured.”
The biggest Islamic cultural festival staged in Europe will take place today at Alexandra Palace in North London. Organisers of IslamExpo said that visitors would observe the two-minute silence at noon.
thetimesonline.co.uk
7/7: one year on
At noon, nation keeps two minutes' silence
By Alan Hamilton
FIRST there was New York, then Bali, then Madrid. But a year ago today London and the rest of Britain awoke to the awful realisation that Islamic terrorism was not a faraway phenomenon.
Fifty two innocent people died when four suicide bombers brought their evil intent to the heart of one of the most cosmopolitan and tolerant cities on Earth.
Among the dead was Shahara Islam (pictured on the front page), a devout Muslim who worked as a cashier at the Co-operative Bank. Shahara straddled the Muslim and Western worlds, going to the mosque every Friday while enjoying Western independence and fashion.
Today the families of the dead will join survivors of that terrible day in a series of acts of quiet remembrance. The nation is being asked to observe two minutes’ silence at midday in honour of the victims. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will observe the silence during an Order of the Thistle service in St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh.
In London, commemorations will be low-key, and many will be private. Security will be tight for fear of an anniversary attack. British Transport police with dogs have reappeared in force on the Underground and at mainline terminals this week. Anti-terror officers have given warning in recent days that the police were still at full stretch in combat against the “sinister” terrorist threat.
Today’s events will begin during the morning rush hour at King’s Cross station, where the four bombers arrived on a Thameslink train from their rendezvous in Luton.
At 8.50am, the time at which the three Tube bombs exploded, Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, and Peter Hendy, the London Transport Commissioner, will lay flowers outside the station, at a spot that attracted thousands of bouquets, cards and other tributes immediately after the attack. Mr Livingstone and Mr Hendy will move on to Tavistock Square, where they will lay flowers at 9.47, the time at which Hasib Hussain detonated his bomb on a bus.
At 11.30 memorial plaques will be unveiled at five locations: Tavistock Square; Aldgate station, where Shehzad Tanweer detonated his bomb; Edgware Road station, where Mohammad Sidique Khan detonated his; and at King’s Cross and Russell Square stations, between which Jermaine Lindsay exploded his device on the Piccadilly Line.
The bereaved will pay their respects at each station, after which survivors will carry out their own vigil. Transport for London is hosting a private lunch for families and friends of the victims, after which they will attend a ceremony at the Museum of London to hand over a book of tributes, before taking part in a private service at St Ethelburga’s Church in the City.
The highest-profile event takes place in Regent’s Park in the early evening, when 1,000 people are expected to attend a televised service. Peter Donaldson, the BBC Radio 4 newsreader, will recite the names of the dead, and the London Gospel Choir will sing Bridge over Troubled Water and other songs, including Song of Doves, written by the father of Helen Jones, 28, who died in the King’s Cross explosion.
The centrepiece of the event will be a tribute in the shape of a flower with seven petals. Throughout the day members of the public will be invited to lay purple carnations, and the survivors and the bereaved will lay yellow gerberas. The bereaved and the survivors chose the flowers. Their main concern was that floral tributes should not be red or white.
The July 7 Assistance Centre helpline will remain open until Monday evening on 0845 054 7444. Paulo Pimentel, director of the centre, said: “The anniversary is going to be an incredibly difficult time for many people, particularly for the families of victims and for survivors, whether or not they were physically injured.”
The biggest Islamic cultural festival staged in Europe will take place today at Alexandra Palace in North London. Organisers of IslamExpo said that visitors would observe the two-minute silence at noon.
thetimesonline.co.uk
Nation's silent tribute to 7/7 victims
7th July 2006
Tribute: As commuters gathered at Edgware Road station, one woman broke down
The nation fell silent today to remember the innocent victims of the July 7 London bombings.
Survivors and bereaved relatives at the blast sites were joined by millions in offices, shops, factories and homes across the country to observe a two minute silence.
It was the focal point of today's commemorative events to honour the victims of the suicide attacks, which killed 52 innocent people and left more than 700 injured.
Prime Minister Tony Blair observed the silence with members of the emergency services who led the response to the bombings.
As the nation came to a standstill, the start of the silence was marked in London by the chimes of Big Ben.
At the four blast sites, thousands of commuters, survivors and relatives of the victims stood solemnly, many with their heads bowed.
The silence was also observed at the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
Mr Blair said: "Today is a day of remembrance across London and the United Kingdom.
"It is a chance for the whole nation to come together to offer comfort and support to those who lost loved ones or were injured on that terrible day.
"This is a time when our country unites across all races, religions and divides and stands in solidarity with all those who have suffered so much in sympathy with them and in defence of the values we share."
Home Secretary John Reid joined Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and his most senior officers outside New Scotland Yard.
At a ceremony attended by the Queen at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, where she was attending the Order of the Thistle service, the Very Rev Gilleasbuig Macmillan called for prayers for those suffering as a result of the bombings a year ago.
He asked for a "dedication towards peaceful and understanding ways and living together in trustful harmony".
The congregation sang a verse of God Save The Queen at the conclusion of the two-minute silence. In Norfolk, members of the Household Cavalry took a break from training on a beach to observe the two-minute silence.
Troopers from the Blues and Royals Squadrons stood to attention with their horses at Holkham as holidaymakers looked on.
Earlier, wreath laying ceremonies were held across the capital at the stations where terror struck.
In emotional scenes, friends and relatives of victims hugged each other, some sobbing, as a steady stream of people paused to pay their respects.
At Edgware Road station, a floral tribute for the families of irises and carnations was laid. The large bouquet was joined by others also marking the anniversary of the attacks.
The message from station staff attached to the bouquet said: "In loving memory of all those who lost their lives here last year. From all the staff at Edgware Road."
It was at 8.50am on July 7 last year that a bomb carried by Mohammad Sidique Khan tore through a Circle Line train as it left the station and entered a tunnel.
Six people were killed and many more injured. At the same moment exactly a year later, life continued as normal at the station. Trains stood alongside the platforms waiting for a green signal while others pulled in and commuters streamed up the stairs.
Far from business as usual
At Aldgate, commuters were going about their business today. But, on the anniversary of the atrocity in which seven of their number died and dozens more were injured, it was very far from being as usual.
As they went in and out of the Underground entrance where - exactly a year ago - a steady stream of casualties was dragged from the smoke, travellers slowed or stopped momentarily to pay their respects.
Nobody wanted to talk about Shehzad Tanweer, the 22-year-old British Muslim who perpetrated the attack, or his chilling last testament video which was released by al Qaeda yesterday.
Ian Craig, a 57-year-old solicitor from Primrose Hill in north London, said he had not thought twice about going to work today even though it was "emotional".
"I am not nervous at all about travelling, but you can't disregard it.
"I think (the video) was appalling from the point of view of the families and entirely predictable from the point of view of the terrorists wanting to cause trouble."
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and London mayor Ken Livingstone laid wreaths in a memorial garden just outside King's Cross station.
The timing of the tribute was 8.50am - the exact time that teenage terrorist Jermaine Lindsay set off a bomb that killed 26 people on a King's Cross to Russell Square Piccadilly line train a year ago.
Ms Jowell's wreath had a message attached which read: "We will always remember."
Mr Livingstone's message read: "London will never forget those we lost on July 7 2005 and we will build a better city as the best way of remembering them."
A slow trickle of people moved past Tavistock Square today where the No30 bus was torn apart.
The scene, cordoned off by police, was eerily quiet with none of the usual rush hour bustle. Many of those who filed past had been here a year ago when horror struck.
A flag bearing the cross of St George was tied to the railings at Tavistock Square.
A message was written on each white square bordering the red cross.
One corner read: "Hatred is blind. Anger is foolhardy."
dailymail.co.uk
**********************************************************************
Anniversary a time for unity, says Blair
7th July 2006
Tony Blair said the anniversary of the 7/7 attacks was an opportunity for "the whole nation to come together".
Downing Street said the Prime Minister would observe the two minutes' silence with emergency service workers at an undisclosed location.
In a statement released by his official spokesman, Mr Blair said: "This time last year, in two days London experienced triumph and then tragedy but it turned the same face towards both: caring, compassionate, tolerant and determined in the face of a difficult challenge.
"Today is a day of remembrance across London and the United Kingdom.
"It is a chance for the whole nation to come together to offer comfort and support to those who lost loved ones or were injured on that terrible day.
"This is a time when our country unites across all races, religions and divides and stands in solidarity with all those who have suffered so much in sympathy with them and in defence of the values we share.
"It is also an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary efforts of our emergency services, transport staff, health workers and members of the public whose courage, professionalism and humanity won the admiration of the world."
Prime Minister Tony Blair said the anniversary of the 7/7 attacks was an opportunity for "the whole nation to come together".
"Today is a day of remembrance across London and the United Kingdom," he said.
"It is a chance for the whole nation to come together to offer comfort and support to those who lost loved ones or were injured on that terrible day.
"This is a time when our country unites across all races, religions and divides and stands in solidarity with all those who have suffered so much in sympathy with them and in defence of the values we share."
Greatest trial 'since World War Two'
Writing in today's Evening Standard, Mr Livingstone said the aftermath of the bombings had been the capital's greatest trial since the end of the Second World War.
"The bombers wanted to shatter what London has become because it stands for everything they are opposed to," he said.
"It is the world's most international and tolerant city. An abomination to bigots and for the same reason Europe's most international and prosperous city.
"They wanted to shatter that. Instead they saw Londoners of every race and creed come out in common grief, solidarity and humanity."
The lead-up to the anniversary has led to renewed calls for a public inquiry into the bombings, but that was again ruled out by Ms Jowell today.
The Culture Secretary said she recognised the "raw grief, frustration and anger" of many of the families, but insisted an official inquiry could take "years and years" to answer their questions.
It would involve an "enormous diversion" of security resources and use up money that could be spent on better surveillance of terror suspects, she said.
Last night, a new suicide video from one of the bombers was released by al Qaida in a blatant attempt to overshadow the anniversary.
In the tape, Shehzad Tanweer warned that last year's bombings were "only the beginning" of a campaign of terror.
The video demonstrated why it was "important to deploy all the available resources to keep this country and the people of this country as safe as we possibly can", Ms Jowell added.
Bereaved relatives and survivors were angry at the timing of its release and said it should be "consigned to the dustbin".
dailymail.co.uk
*****************************************************************
London mayor Ken Livingstone pays silent tribute to the victims of the July 7 terror attacks at King's Cross Station. He was joined by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy.
-------------------------------------
Flowers are laid at Edgware Road station.
© PA
--------------------------------------
Police patrol Aldgate Station on the first anniversary of the attacks.
© AP
-----------------------------------------
Commuters carried on as usual this morning, the only difference in their journey was a high police presence.
© Getty
-------------------------------------------
A couple hug outside King's Cross Station, where dignitaries laid wreaths and stood silent in tribute to the victims of 7/7.
© PA
-----------------------------------------------
Tube travellers were undeterred by the anniversary, despite morning newspapers carrying stories recalling the horror.
© AP
------------------------------------------
A Salvation Army member consoles a woman who had come to lay flowers outside King's Cross station.
© PA
----------------------------------------
The capital's buses ran as normal on the anniversary.
© AP
---------------------------------------
A crowd gathers at Kings Cross to remember victims of 7/7 bombings.
© PA
dailymail.co.uk
7th July 2006
Tribute: As commuters gathered at Edgware Road station, one woman broke down
The nation fell silent today to remember the innocent victims of the July 7 London bombings.
Survivors and bereaved relatives at the blast sites were joined by millions in offices, shops, factories and homes across the country to observe a two minute silence.
It was the focal point of today's commemorative events to honour the victims of the suicide attacks, which killed 52 innocent people and left more than 700 injured.
Prime Minister Tony Blair observed the silence with members of the emergency services who led the response to the bombings.
As the nation came to a standstill, the start of the silence was marked in London by the chimes of Big Ben.
At the four blast sites, thousands of commuters, survivors and relatives of the victims stood solemnly, many with their heads bowed.
The silence was also observed at the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
Mr Blair said: "Today is a day of remembrance across London and the United Kingdom.
"It is a chance for the whole nation to come together to offer comfort and support to those who lost loved ones or were injured on that terrible day.
"This is a time when our country unites across all races, religions and divides and stands in solidarity with all those who have suffered so much in sympathy with them and in defence of the values we share."
Home Secretary John Reid joined Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and his most senior officers outside New Scotland Yard.
At a ceremony attended by the Queen at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, where she was attending the Order of the Thistle service, the Very Rev Gilleasbuig Macmillan called for prayers for those suffering as a result of the bombings a year ago.
He asked for a "dedication towards peaceful and understanding ways and living together in trustful harmony".
The congregation sang a verse of God Save The Queen at the conclusion of the two-minute silence. In Norfolk, members of the Household Cavalry took a break from training on a beach to observe the two-minute silence.
Troopers from the Blues and Royals Squadrons stood to attention with their horses at Holkham as holidaymakers looked on.
Earlier, wreath laying ceremonies were held across the capital at the stations where terror struck.
In emotional scenes, friends and relatives of victims hugged each other, some sobbing, as a steady stream of people paused to pay their respects.
At Edgware Road station, a floral tribute for the families of irises and carnations was laid. The large bouquet was joined by others also marking the anniversary of the attacks.
The message from station staff attached to the bouquet said: "In loving memory of all those who lost their lives here last year. From all the staff at Edgware Road."
It was at 8.50am on July 7 last year that a bomb carried by Mohammad Sidique Khan tore through a Circle Line train as it left the station and entered a tunnel.
Six people were killed and many more injured. At the same moment exactly a year later, life continued as normal at the station. Trains stood alongside the platforms waiting for a green signal while others pulled in and commuters streamed up the stairs.
Far from business as usual
At Aldgate, commuters were going about their business today. But, on the anniversary of the atrocity in which seven of their number died and dozens more were injured, it was very far from being as usual.
As they went in and out of the Underground entrance where - exactly a year ago - a steady stream of casualties was dragged from the smoke, travellers slowed or stopped momentarily to pay their respects.
Nobody wanted to talk about Shehzad Tanweer, the 22-year-old British Muslim who perpetrated the attack, or his chilling last testament video which was released by al Qaeda yesterday.
Ian Craig, a 57-year-old solicitor from Primrose Hill in north London, said he had not thought twice about going to work today even though it was "emotional".
"I am not nervous at all about travelling, but you can't disregard it.
"I think (the video) was appalling from the point of view of the families and entirely predictable from the point of view of the terrorists wanting to cause trouble."
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and London mayor Ken Livingstone laid wreaths in a memorial garden just outside King's Cross station.
The timing of the tribute was 8.50am - the exact time that teenage terrorist Jermaine Lindsay set off a bomb that killed 26 people on a King's Cross to Russell Square Piccadilly line train a year ago.
Ms Jowell's wreath had a message attached which read: "We will always remember."
Mr Livingstone's message read: "London will never forget those we lost on July 7 2005 and we will build a better city as the best way of remembering them."
A slow trickle of people moved past Tavistock Square today where the No30 bus was torn apart.
The scene, cordoned off by police, was eerily quiet with none of the usual rush hour bustle. Many of those who filed past had been here a year ago when horror struck.
A flag bearing the cross of St George was tied to the railings at Tavistock Square.
A message was written on each white square bordering the red cross.
One corner read: "Hatred is blind. Anger is foolhardy."
dailymail.co.uk
**********************************************************************
Anniversary a time for unity, says Blair
7th July 2006
Tony Blair said the anniversary of the 7/7 attacks was an opportunity for "the whole nation to come together".
Downing Street said the Prime Minister would observe the two minutes' silence with emergency service workers at an undisclosed location.
In a statement released by his official spokesman, Mr Blair said: "This time last year, in two days London experienced triumph and then tragedy but it turned the same face towards both: caring, compassionate, tolerant and determined in the face of a difficult challenge.
"Today is a day of remembrance across London and the United Kingdom.
"It is a chance for the whole nation to come together to offer comfort and support to those who lost loved ones or were injured on that terrible day.
"This is a time when our country unites across all races, religions and divides and stands in solidarity with all those who have suffered so much in sympathy with them and in defence of the values we share.
"It is also an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary efforts of our emergency services, transport staff, health workers and members of the public whose courage, professionalism and humanity won the admiration of the world."
Prime Minister Tony Blair said the anniversary of the 7/7 attacks was an opportunity for "the whole nation to come together".
"Today is a day of remembrance across London and the United Kingdom," he said.
"It is a chance for the whole nation to come together to offer comfort and support to those who lost loved ones or were injured on that terrible day.
"This is a time when our country unites across all races, religions and divides and stands in solidarity with all those who have suffered so much in sympathy with them and in defence of the values we share."
Greatest trial 'since World War Two'
Writing in today's Evening Standard, Mr Livingstone said the aftermath of the bombings had been the capital's greatest trial since the end of the Second World War.
"The bombers wanted to shatter what London has become because it stands for everything they are opposed to," he said.
"It is the world's most international and tolerant city. An abomination to bigots and for the same reason Europe's most international and prosperous city.
"They wanted to shatter that. Instead they saw Londoners of every race and creed come out in common grief, solidarity and humanity."
The lead-up to the anniversary has led to renewed calls for a public inquiry into the bombings, but that was again ruled out by Ms Jowell today.
The Culture Secretary said she recognised the "raw grief, frustration and anger" of many of the families, but insisted an official inquiry could take "years and years" to answer their questions.
It would involve an "enormous diversion" of security resources and use up money that could be spent on better surveillance of terror suspects, she said.
Last night, a new suicide video from one of the bombers was released by al Qaida in a blatant attempt to overshadow the anniversary.
In the tape, Shehzad Tanweer warned that last year's bombings were "only the beginning" of a campaign of terror.
The video demonstrated why it was "important to deploy all the available resources to keep this country and the people of this country as safe as we possibly can", Ms Jowell added.
Bereaved relatives and survivors were angry at the timing of its release and said it should be "consigned to the dustbin".
dailymail.co.uk
*****************************************************************
London mayor Ken Livingstone pays silent tribute to the victims of the July 7 terror attacks at King's Cross Station. He was joined by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy.
-------------------------------------
Flowers are laid at Edgware Road station.
© PA
--------------------------------------
Police patrol Aldgate Station on the first anniversary of the attacks.
© AP
-----------------------------------------
Commuters carried on as usual this morning, the only difference in their journey was a high police presence.
© Getty
-------------------------------------------
A couple hug outside King's Cross Station, where dignitaries laid wreaths and stood silent in tribute to the victims of 7/7.
© PA
-----------------------------------------------
Tube travellers were undeterred by the anniversary, despite morning newspapers carrying stories recalling the horror.
© AP
------------------------------------------
A Salvation Army member consoles a woman who had come to lay flowers outside King's Cross station.
© PA
----------------------------------------
The capital's buses ran as normal on the anniversary.
© AP
---------------------------------------
A crowd gathers at Kings Cross to remember victims of 7/7 bombings.
© PA
dailymail.co.uk