8 Photos From September 11th That You Have Never Seen
The Strangers Who Became Family That Day
To Every Family Who Has Lost Someone:
Your grief is real. Your love continues. Your person mattered.
There are no words that can fill the empty space, but please know you're not alone in carrying it. Take all the time you need. Heal at your own pace.
Their story lives on in you—in your strength, your love, and every life you touch.
You are seen, you are held, and you are so much braver than you know.
With love and respect for your journey.
In 2001, digital cameras were a rare commodity. They were expensive, bulky and captured images that were inferior to the organic look of film. After you downloaded and edited those whopping 3.1 megapixel images, you had very few options of where you could publish them online. Remember when Shutterfly and Snapfish were a thing?
Contrast that to today where you have people shooting magazine covers on cell phones and uploading over 500,000 images to Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook every minute. We don’t hear about national tragedies on the news anymore, we read about them in our Twitter and Facebook feeds. Seconds after they happen.
When the events of 9/11 took place there were thousands of photographs taken by professional photographers and members of the press. These images were shown on the news and published in magazines and newspapers all across the country. Yet, few of these featured photographs were taken by everyday people.
I wanted to set about curating a selection of photographs that most of you haven’t seen. Photographs captured by everyday people. Thanks to the internet these individuals have been able to publish their photos to Flickr, but most of them have less than a thousand, or even less than a hundred views. As I searched for these images it was like I was witnessing history again, but from an angle that no one had ever been shown. I decided to share these photographs with all of you.
For the images that were captured on a digital camera, I’ve made a note of the model of the camera. All images are hosted on the account of the person that owns the photographs, none of them were taken down and re-hosted.
Seconds after flight 175 struck the South Tower. Taken with a Canon PowerShot S100 by George Weld.
Marc Garrett, about this image he captured. “The second plane flew directly over my head and slammed into the south tower. It took me a few seconds to get my head together, and this was the shot I took. I’m not a professional photojournalist, but I believe having a camera in my hand and feeling like a I had a “job” to do helped me keep my head.”
The photographer who took this photo mentions that at the time it didn’t occur to him how bad of an idea it was to walk so close to the tower right after it was struck. Later he discovered that he had been hit in the leg by a piece of falling metal, but didn’t notice it until hours later after he had settled down. If you read the comments you’ll find one by the owner of the open delivery truck you see in this image. He mentioned that the driver of the truck, seen in the blue shirt and pants survived the ordeal. The truck, however, was crushed. This image and the following were taken on an Olympus E-10.
This image struck me on a deep emotion level. In the midst of the chaos and destruction there were still people willing to show their selflessness and cover the remains of the victims.
Taken a few moments after the second tower was hit, you can see the cloud of paper floating through the air. Photograph by Ronald Smits.
Photographer Jay Boucher says: “My wife had called me that morning to let me know she was safe. “Huh?” I said. She told me to turn on the TV and there was the Trade Center, burning. I grabbed my cameras and ran out to Hoboken’s Pier A. This is what I saw”.
There are a lot of photographs of messages scrawled into the dust covering the cars. I can’t make out what the note says. Photograph by Marc AuMarc.
Photograph by George Hackett
If these words touched your heart, please share the love with a few claps below. Every reader matters, and so do you. Thank you for taking this journey with me. 🙏
About the Creator
Burhan Afridi
Introvert who reads people like books. Psychology writer, competitive shooter, horse rider. I notice what others miss and write the truths they won't. Expect insights that make you uncomfortable but unstoppable.
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Los Angeles Billionaire Moves to Nevada After California Threatens to Tax Wealth
When a prominent Los Angeles billionaire quietly packed up and moved to Nevada, it wasn’t just a personal lifestyle change — it was a political statement. The move came shortly after California lawmakers revived proposals to tax extreme wealth, targeting the state’s richest residents as a way to fund public services and address inequality. Now, that single relocation has become a symbol in a much larger debate: Do wealth taxes strengthen states — or drive their most valuable taxpayers away? The Trigger: California’s Wealth Tax Proposal California has long wrestled with how to fund its ambitious social programs while addressing widening income inequality. In recent years, progressive lawmakers have floated proposals to introduce a wealth tax, aimed at individuals with net worths above a certain threshold — often tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Unlike income taxes, which apply to yearly earnings, wealth taxes target accumulated assets such as stocks, real estate, and business holdings. Supporters argue that this approach ensures the ultra-rich contribute a fairer share to public infrastructure, education, and housing. Critics, however, warn that wealth taxes are difficult to enforce and easy to avoid, especially in a mobile economy where residency can shift across state lines. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move appears to validate those concerns. Why Nevada? Nevada has become a magnet for wealthy individuals — and the reasons are straightforward. The state has: No personal income tax No capital gains tax Business-friendly regulations A growing financial and tech services sector For high-net-worth individuals, relocating to Nevada can mean saving millions of dollars annually. For someone facing the possibility of a wealth tax layered on top of California’s already high income taxes, the financial incentive is hard to ignore. In this case, the billionaire reportedly established legal residency in Nevada, purchased property, and shifted business operations — all steps that tax experts say are increasingly common among ultra-wealthy Californians. A Broader Trend, Not an Isolated Case This move is far from unique. Over the past decade, California has seen a steady outflow of wealthy residents to states like Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. While climate, housing costs, and lifestyle play roles, tax policy has become a central factor. High-profile departures — from tech executives to hedge fund managers — often spark political backlash. Critics argue that the wealthy are abandoning the state that helped them succeed. Defenders counter that states should not penalize success to fund unsustainable spending. The Los Angeles billionaire’s relocation has once again brought this tension into the spotlight. The Political Reaction in California California lawmakers defending the wealth tax proposal insist that fear of capital flight is exaggerated. They argue that the state’s economic advantages — including access to talent, innovation hubs, and cultural influence — outweigh tax concerns for most entrepreneurs. Some lawmakers also point out that California already relies heavily on its highest earners, with a small percentage of taxpayers contributing a large share of total revenue. In their view, asking the ultra-rich to contribute more is not radical — it’s necessary. Opponents, however, see the billionaire’s move as a warning sign. They argue that when even a single wealthy individual leaves, the state can lose not only tax revenue but also investment, philanthropy, and job creation. What This Means for State Finances The departure of one billionaire may not immediately dent California’s massive budget, but the long-term implications are harder to ignore. Wealthy individuals often: Pay a disproportionate share of state taxes Fund startups and venture capital Support universities, museums, and nonprofits If enough high-net-worth residents follow the same path, critics warn, the tax base could shrink faster than lawmakers expect. Supporters of the wealth tax counter that public investment funded by higher taxes could improve quality of life for millions — potentially attracting new residents and businesses in the long run. A National Debate Over Wealth and Mobility This story extends beyond California. Across the U.S., states are competing for residents — especially wealthy ones. Tax policy has become one of the most powerful tools in that competition. While progressive states push for redistribution, low-tax states market themselves as havens for capital. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move underscores a key reality of modern economics: wealth is increasingly mobile. Assets can move digitally, businesses can relocate headquarters, and individuals can change residency with relative ease. This mobility complicates efforts to tax extreme wealth at the state level, fueling calls for federal solutions instead. The Ethical Divide At the heart of the controversy lies a philosophical question: Should wealthy individuals feel a moral obligation to remain and pay higher taxes in the states that enabled their success — or are they justified in seeking the most favorable financial environment? Supporters of wealth taxes argue that extreme inequality threatens social stability and that those who benefit most from the system should help sustain it. Opponents argue that punitive taxation discourages innovation and rewards capital flight, ultimately harming the very communities lawmakers aim to help. The billionaire’s move doesn’t settle the debate — but it sharpens it. What Happens Next? California’s wealth tax proposals are still evolving, and it remains unclear whether a final version will pass. Even if enacted, legal challenges and enforcement hurdles loom large. Meanwhile, states like Nevada are likely to continue benefiting from California’s policy uncertainty, attracting wealthy residents and businesses seeking predictability. For policymakers, the challenge is balancing fairness, revenue needs, and competitiveness in a system where borders are increasingly porous. Final Thoughts The Los Angeles billionaire’s move to Nevada is more than a headline — it’s a case study in how tax policy shapes behavior. It highlights the difficulty of taxing wealth at the state level and the unintended consequences that can follow even well-intentioned reforms. As California debates its economic future, one thing is clear: in a mobile, interconnected economy, policy decisions don’t just redistribute wealth — they redirect it. Whether wealth taxes become a solution or a cautionary tale will depend on how lawmakers respond to the signals already being sent.
By Muhammad Hassan3 days ago in Humans
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