On the morning of September 11, millions of federal employees and members of the armed services reported for work, like any other day. It would end up like no other day. A terrorist attack of unprecedented proportions--with military service members and civil servants as prime targets--would forever change the lives of all Americans and the work of the federal government. Here, we present a look back at those early hours and days. From Government Executive's October issue: Pulling Together By Katherine McIntire Peters At the Pentagon, generals and privates, senior executives and laborers, civilians, contractors and military personnel found themselves side by side on a front line none could previously have imagined. Where We Go From Here By Jason Peckenpaugh The attacks may cause Americans to rethink government’s role.   Horror, Then A Helping Hand By Tanya N. Ballard In New York, federal employees fled for their lives, then pitched in to help. Retreat and Rebound On September 11, some civil servants died. Some fled. And some saved lives. Looking For Lifelines By Joshua Dean E-government’s first big test produces mixed results. GovExec.com News Planes crash into World Trade Center, Pentagon (09/11/01) Pentagon official says attack was 'no accident' (09/11/01) Defense Secretary says casualties 'will not be few' (09/11/01) Senate votes to condemn attacks (09/12/01) President ratchets up rhetoric, terms attacks 'acts of war' (09/12/01) Pentagon rescue efforts continue as hundreds feared dead (09/12/01) Nation needs to bolster critical infrastructure, senators say (09/12/01) Leadership safe, but Congressional schedule uncertain (09/12/01) Intelligence experts struggle to explain attacks (09/12/01) In the skies, confusion and chaos reigned (09/12/01) Federal offices open today (09/12/01) CIA employees get a pep talk (09/12/01) Bush tours Pentagon devastation; casualty figures remain unclear (09/12/01) Author on Oklahoma City reflects on impact of attacks (09/12/01) Attacks likely to upend Congressional, national agenda (09/12/01) President's quest for new spending, powers hits snag on Hill (09/13/01) Pentagon executives bear witness to terrorist attack (09/13/01) Navy, Army, and Defense agency personnel presumed dead (09/13/01) Legislators, White House draft authority for retaliation (09/13/01) At the Pentagon, from light to dark (09/13/01) 190 presumed dead in Pentagon attack; military readies next move (09/13/01) Senate passes legislation authorizing Bush to retaliate (09/14/01) New York agencies expect few, if any, federal fatalities (09/14/01) House, Senate prepare $40 billion supplemental spending bill (09/14/01) Congress provides $40 billion in emergency funds (09/14/01) As terror unfolded, 'a sense of helplessness' (09/14/01) America enters a new kind of war (09/14/01) TSP investors urged not to panic in wake of stock market dip (09/17/01) Tragedy sparks renewed interest in public service (09/17/01) Pentagon child care center closed; public transit encouraged (09/17/01) One FBI employee still missing in New York (09/17/01) Defense Department signs contract to begin rebuilding Pentagon (09/17/01) Congress taking its cues from the President (09/17/01) Bush calls up reserves, says they will play ‘essential role’ (09/17/01) As search for missing continues, Pentagon mobilizes for war (09/17/01) Tighter airline security legislation seen by end of year (09/18/01) Rumsfeld pledges to ‘drain the swamps’ of terrorists (09/18/01) Federal buildings in lower Manhattan declared safe (09/18/01) Medical supplies go unused as few survivors found (09/19/01) INS, State were warned to work together against terrorists (09/19/01) Bush signs $40 billion emergency aid package (09/19/01) Rumsfeld calls up reservists, dodges questions about deployments (09/20/01) Bush readies address to nation as deal on spending bills nears (09/20/01) Airport security won’t be turned over to the government yet (09/20/01) Bush creates homeland defense agency (09/20/01) U.S. antiterrorism efforts to include Internet (09/21/01) Terrorist attacks put inexperienced President to the test (09/21/01) Proposals to combat terrorism would change Americans' ways (09/21/01) Waging a war unlike any other (09/21/01) The Response Emergency agency rushes to aid victims of attacks (09/11/01) Union leader reports new resolve among federal employees (09/12/01) New York agencies regroup after loss of offices (09/12/01) FAA will regulate airport screeners in November (09/12/01) Benefits for families of those killed and for the injured (09/12/01) Agencies across country step up security efforts (09/12/01) Transportation Secretary seeks military security on airplanes (09/13/01) Special benefits procedures for terrorist victims and their families (09/13/01) Federal office buildings stay on high alert (09/13/01) Federal employees get help coping with tragedy (09/13/01) E-gov fails, succeeds in tragedy’s wake (09/13/01) Agencies account for most employees at World Trade Center (09/13/01) Pentagon personnel mourn fallen comrades, begin rebuilding (09/14/01) OPM issues special hiring authority to fill emergency personnel needs (09/14/01) OPM allows special donations to aid terrorism victims (09/14/01) GSA relaxes travel policy to help stranded federal workers (09/14/01) Federal employees continue work with a new perspective (09/14/01) FBI computer security center warns of increased hacking (09/14/01) FEMA unable to set up New York City field office (09/17/01) Disease experts, medical supplies sent to New York (09/17/01) Justice prepares to quickly process claims for victims’ families (09/18/01) Federal firefighters help relief efforts as western fire threat declines (09/18/01) FBI takes terrorist investigation online (09/18/01) Army Corps teams help remove debris, restore power (09/18/01) Oklahoma City survivor shares advice for managers (09/18/01) Military turns to buses, trains to get recruits to basic training (09/19/01) Medical supplies go unused as few survivors found (09/19/01) Fish and Wildlife Service remembers fallen comrade (09/19/01) Federal efforts get financial firms back in business on Wall Street (09/19/01) Federal agencies and local police band together against terrorism (09/19/01) FAA seeks to recruit new air marshals (09/19/01) Education Department allows victims to postpone school loans (09/19/01) GSA chief praises employees for reaction to attacks (09/20/01) Consumer protection agency debunks terrorism-related scams (09/20/01) In wake of attacks, Postal Service faces uncertain financial future (09/20/01) Federal contractors lend services to relief effort (09/20/01) Images        A lone American flag stands amongst the damage inside the rings of the Pentagon. DoD photograph by SSgt. Larry A. Simmons.        Smoke from the Pentagon rises over the Capitol building. Photograph by Rick Bloom, National Journal.        Rescue workers unfurl a large American flag over the roof of the Pentagon - Sept. 12, 2001. DoD photo by R. D. Ward.        The view from Military Traffic Management Command headquarters in Alexandria, Va. immediately following the attack on the Pentagon.