Ken White was chatting with an office temp at his job in the north tower of the World Trade Center when American Airlines Flight 11 struck at 8:46 a.m. local time on Sept. 11, 2001 — marking the start of a terror attack that killed 2,977 victims and changed the country and the world.

"All of a sudden the building shook, then it started to sway," White told PEOPLE soon after, in an issue entirely devoted to 9/11 . "We didn't know what was going on. I ran towards the reception area. It was completely collapsed."

White was one of many witnesses, survivors and first responders who spoke with PEOPLE immediately after the attack to share their horror, heartbreak and heroism.

On the 24th anniversary of 9/11 , here is a look back at those memories when they were still fresh.

White, an ad

See Full Page