Research

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of sympathy cards, letters, a condolence book, and a photography book that were collected by the Office for Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Most of the letters were sent from elementary school students in the Cypress School District in California to New York students who lost a parent in the attacks. Patriotic images, such as the American flag, often appear on these letters or on the envelopes in which they were sent. The other letters found in the series - a group of which were sent from Alaska - contain broad salutations to groups such as students and teachers of New York City. In addition, the series includes a book of condolences from a school in Leicester, England, and a photography book by Charles Mandracchia that depicts memorial scenes in New York City following 9/11.