NEW YORK (Sept. 11) - Terrorist attacks at the peak of rush hour paralyzed Manhattan, shutting down subway lines, crippling cellular phone service, and forcing evacuations from Wall Street to the United Nations.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a difficult moment for America. I unfortunately will be going back to Washington after my remarks. Secretary Rod Paige and the lieutenant governor will take the podium and discuss education."

The mayor closed lower Manhattan to make way for emergency vehicles. Thousands of people left by walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

"Today we've had a national tragedy. Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country."

The election was called off.

"I have spoken to the vice president,"

The airports were closed.

"to the governor of New York,"

Trading on Wall Street was suspended.

"to the director of the FBI,"

The United Nations building was evacuated.

"and I've ordered that the full resources of the federal government go to help the victims and their families"

Offices throughout Manhattan closed.

"and to conduct a full-scale investigation to hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act."

Children were kept in their schools because their parents could not get to them.

"Terrorism against our nation will not stand."

At every pay phone, people were lined up a dozen deep to call loved ones, but many ended up hanging up in frustration at the profusion of busy signals.

"And now if you join me in a moment of silence."

At one pay phone in Greenwich Village, a woman was sobbing into the phone, saying she didn't know whether a loved one was OK.

"May God bless the victims, their families and America."

''I just saw the building I work in come down,'' said businessman Gabriel Ioan, shaking in shock outside City Hall, a cloud of smoke and ash from the World Trade Center behind him. ''I just saw the top of Trade Two come down.''

"Thank you very much."