House lawmakers from both parties plan to continue a tradition of singing “God Bless America” on the Capitol steps in a ceremony to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., announced the event will take place on Friday, Sept. 9 on the House-side steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Lawmakers began the tradition on Sept. 11, 2001, when an impromptu rendition of the song broke out after they spoke to reporters outside the Capitol on the evening of the attacks.
Ryan’s office on Thursday released a recounting of that day, given by now-retired House Radio and TV Gallery Director Tina Tate.
“Someone started singing God Bless America, and the rest of the members of Congress joined in,” Tate recalled. “It was such an affirming act, a very simple but very affirming act. And because it was broadcast, people around the United States and around the world knew that the Congress of the United States was not terrorized, was not cowering.”
