As a divided America remembers 9/11, a call goes out for unity: 'Our country came together that day

America changed forever 16 years ago today.

The sky over New York City was a strikingly clear blue as people were arriving to work on Sept. 11, 2001. Then two jets hijacked by Islamic terrorists — American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 — crashed into the upper floors of the World Trade Center twin towers, sending fireballs and thick black smoke over lower Manhattan.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Within hours, both towers collapsed, and the iconic island on the Hudson River disappeared under a cloud of dust and rubble as New Yorkers ran for their lives.

Another hijacked jet — American Airlines Flight 77 — flew into the Pentagon, after which first responders and motorists watched an outer wall crumble of one of the nation's greatest symbols of strength.

But passengers on a fourth jet — United Airlines Flight 93, which also was apparently also headed to D.C. — learned about the attacks, figured out their plane was part of the plot and fought back against the terrorists, sending the jet crashing into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

So, as Americans have done every year since, on Monday they paid tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who died in the terror attacks — a solemn and emotional anniversary that also highlighted the country's strength when its citizens come together.

And as devastating hurricanes dominate the news amid this year's 9/11 remembrances, one heartening byproduct is how citizens of every race and religion have helped each other in the recovery process — just as they did on Sept. 11, 2001, and the weeks and months afterward.

"When Americans are in need, Americans pull together," President Donald Trump said at the Pentagon ceremony, his first 9/11 tribute since taking office in January, NBC News reported. He also said that "when we face hardship, we emerge closer, stronger, and more determined than ever."

Trump added: "Our values will endure. Our people will thrive. Our nation will prevail and the memory of our loved ones will never, ever die."

Vice President Mike Pence told listeners gathered at the Shanksville crash site Monday morning that he was in Washington, D.C., during the 9/11 terror attacks and was informed that a fourth plane heading there — and was 12 minutes out.

"That was the longest 12 minutes of my life," Pence told the crowd, CNN noted, before adding the shocking news that Flight 93 had gone down long before it reached its destination.

In Manhattan, at least 1,000 family members, survivors, rescuers and officials gathered at ground zero — where the Twin Towers were hit and fell — to pay tribute to those who lost their lives 16 years ago, the Associated Press reported.

Rob Fazio has attended the ground zero ceremony each year since 9/11 — his father, Ronald Carl Fazio, was among the victims.

"I'll come every year for the rest of my life," he said, the AP noted. "It's where I get my strength."

A tearful Magaly Lemagne — who lost her brother, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Officer David Lemagne on 9/11 — said the memory of that terrible moment should once again unite Americans, the outlet reported.

"Our country came together that day," she said, the AP added. "And it did not matter what color you were, or where you were from. Maybe then we can put away our disagreements and become one country again."

What matters most

If you read your social media feeds with regularity and take in the news, most folks would scoff at the notion that Americans came come together and help each other. It seemed that way before 9/11. Republicans and Democrats were becoming more bitterly divided as each day wore on — but when the heartbreak and hardship hit, there were no political parties.

Fast forward 16 years later, and the America now seems galaxies removed from the America we knew in the days before and after 9/11 — much more division, much less hope.

But as our actions have shown of late, when the chips are down, Americans' politics subside and our true colors shine through.