People gather at the site of destroyed World Trade Center for the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in Manhattan, New York, the United States, Sept. 11, 2008. New Yorkers on Thursday morning gathered to commemorate the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 2,700 people seven years ago. (Xinhua/Hou Jun)

New Yorkers gathered on Thursday morning in a somber ceremony near Ground Zero, site of the destroyed World Trade Center's twin towers in the September 11 terrorist strikes, to remember the more than 2,700 people who were killed in the attacks seven years ago.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, New York State Governor David A. Paterson, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, former New York Governor George E. Pataki and former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani attended the ceremony, together with thousands of people, including relatives of victims, firefighters, policemen, officials, journalists and people, in other walks of life.

The ceremony began at 8:40 a.m. After Young People's chorus of New York performed the American national anthem, the Star Spanned Banner, Bloomberg introduced moment of silence.

New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg speaks during a commemoration rally at the site of destroyed World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, the United States, Sept. 11, 2008. New Yorkers on Thursday morning gathered to commemorate the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 2,700 people seven years ago. (Xinhua/Hou Jun)

Commemorating the almost 2,750 people who died when hijacked airliners struck and demolished New York's two World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001, Bloomberg said the day will "live for ever in our hearts and our history."

The anniversary, he said, was about "New Yorkers, Americans and global citizens remembering the innocent people from 95 nations and territories that lost their lives that day."

With eyes and cheeks full of tears, 67-year-old Korean woman Pilsoon Kang told Xinhua that her only son Joonkoo Kang was killed in the terror attack.

"My son was only 34 when he was killed," she said, trying to stop the sobbing. "He left behind him a 4-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter."

Richard Sadowy, holding a picture of his son-in-law, police officer Paul Talty who was killed in the 9/11 attacks, attends a commemoration rally at the site of destroyed World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, the United States, Sept. 11, 2008. New Yorkers on Thursday morning gathered to commemorate the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 2,700 people seven years ago. (Xinhua/Hou Jun)

"My happy family and life have been destroyed completely after my son died," she said.

Carrying a number of photos of his late wife in his wallet, Nick Chiachiaro blamed the wrong foreign policies of the United States for the happening of the 9/11 on the U.S soil.

He said the United States should rethink of its foreign policies, urging the U.S. troops to withdraw from other countries so as to avoid further tragedies like the 9/11.

"Even though he is gone, he is still with us and helps us to be better people," said Aiden Salamone, son of victim John Patrick Salamon, at the ceremony. "For our dad, we try to be a little kinder and help people in need."

The picture of 9/11 attacks victim, New York fire fighter Philip Petti is seen during a commemoration rally at the site of destroyed World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, the United States, Sept. 11, 2008. New Yorkers on Thursday morning gathered to commemorate the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 2,700 people seven years ago. (Xinhua/Hou Jun)

According to the organizers, the emphasis on the seventh anniversary has shifted to educating new generations about terrorist threats and the way families of victims survive the loss of loved ones.

The 9/11 attacks killed more than 2,700 people in New York, including 300 firefighters and police trapped after rushing into the towers to save the thousands of people working inside. The trauma has lingered with thousands of New Yorkers who lost friends or relatives or who continued to suffer mentally or physically.

Editor: Yan