A Date to Remember: PM Modi Pays Tributes to 9/11 victims; remembers Swami Vivekananda’s Historic Speech in Chicago

NEW DELHI, Sept 11, 2016: 9/11 is remembered as a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda on the US in 2001 but this date is also of significance in India as the 'historic' speech was given by Swami Vivekananda on this day in 1893 in Chicago.

September 11 brings two contrasting images in one's mind- Violence and Peace. "11th September…two contrasting images come to the mind. Today we pray tributes to all those who lost their lives in gruesome 9/11 attacks. On this day in 1893, Swami Vivekananda delivered his historic speech in Chicago & won many hearts & minds," Prime Minister Modi said in a series of tweets, mentioned the ANI report.

About 2,750 people were killed in the terrorist attack when two passenger jets destroyed the Twin Towers in New York on September 11, 2001.

While another jet slammed into the Pentagon, a fourth jet crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after those on board tried to overpower the hijackers.

At the first Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893, the speech by Swami Vivekananda's speech is considered among his most significant contributions to the world. That was so much so that a three-day world conference was organised to commemorate his 150th birthday in 2012.

It was this speech made him a 'hero' in the US as well. The opening lines of his speech "Sisters and brothers of America" earned him a two-minute long standing ovation from the audience, said the ANI report.

– prepared by NewsGram Team