New York (CNN) -- Nine Septembers have come and gone and yet, the many days that separate America now from a chilling day in its history did not dull remembrance Saturday.

Once again, the nation paused in silence at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. A few minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., another solemn silence befell New York to mark the moment when a second jet pierced through the South Tower.

As has been customary now on every anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the names of the nearly 3,000 dead will be read out one by one at each of the three sites where people perished -- in New York, in Washington and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In New York, thousands of people heard the names of 2,752 husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters and friends -- and strangers.

"We have returned to this sacred site to join our hearts together with the names of those we loved and lost," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "No other public tragedy has cut our city so deeply. No other place is as filled with our compassion, our love, and our solidarity."

With each toll of the bell, an emotional chord struck hearts. Family members stepped forward to talk about those who were lost. And with each word, hot tears rolled down cheeks.

"We think about the milestones that have passed over the course of nine years -- births and christenings, weddings and graduations -- all with an empty chair," said President Barack Obama in his weekly address.

"On this day, we also honor those who died so that others might live: the firefighters and first responders who climbed the stairs of two burning towers; the passengers who stormed a cockpit; and the men and women who have, in the years since, borne the uniform of this country and given their lives so that our children could grow up in a safer world," Obama said.

Shortly after the second moment of silence, Vice President Joe Biden read a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

"Build today, then strong and sure, With a firm and ample base; And ascending and secure. Shall tomorrow find its place. "

George W. Bush recalled the day that came to shape his presidency.

"On September 11, 2001, Americans awoke to evil on our shores," he said in a statement. "On this solemn day of remembrance, Laura and I hold the victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

"We recall the many acts of heroism on that day, and we honor those who work tirelessly to prevent another attack," he said. "May God bless our great country and those who defend her."

This anniversary is arguably more political than the eight before as grieving families are split on a proposed Islamic center near ground zero and anti-Muslim sentiment among Americans is running high. Adding to the controversy, a Florida pastor threatened to burn a Quran on this fateful day.

Some of the tension was relieved just before the ceremonies began when the Rev. Terry Jones said he was canceling the Quran burning planned for 6 p.m.

"We will definitely not burn the Quran," Rev. Terry Jones told NBC's "Today" on Saturday "Not today, not ever."

Police planned, however, to keep a close watch on Jones while he was in New York.

New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told CNN that Jones's safety could be an issue.

"We met with him when he got off the plane last evening," Kelly said. "We had an extensive discussion with him. We believe we know what his plans are. We're going to know where he is at all times."

At ground zero, people gathered amid signs of rebirth rising from the ashes.

Next year, on this day, a new memorial will open and on Saturday the families of those who perished were able to see some tangible progress of the structures that are being erected to honor their loved ones. They will be able to interact with the 2,000 workers who are erecting the memorial.

The planned memorial includes six skyscrapers, a museum, two waterfalls in the footprints of the twin towers, a performance center and a rail terminal.

The first 16 oak trees of more than 400 that will line the memorial have already been planted. They will surround the acre-size waterfalls built in the footprints of the twin towers. The names of the dead will be etched in bronze around the waterfalls.

Earlier this week, workers installed two 50-ton steel columns that once ringed the north tower at what will be the entrance to the memorial and museum.