America mourned the dead from the attacks on Washington and New York in memorial services across the country yesterday that blended sorrow, patriotism and, at times, a muted call to arms.
"We are here in the middle hour of our grief," President Bush said in a service at Washington's National Cathedral.
"So many have suffered so great a loss and today we express our nation's sorrow. We come today before God to pray for the missing and the dead and for those who love them."
"This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger," Mr Bush declared.
In a display of unity, former Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford attended the service in the majestic gothic cathedral, singing the hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Former Vice-President Al Gore, defeated by Mr Bush in the closely fought election of last November, also attended, as did Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and diplomats. Vice-President Dick Cheney, separated from Mr Bush since Thursday for security reasons, stayed away.
Americans across the country crowded churches, mosques and synagogues to pray for the hundreds confirmed dead and thousands still missing from the hijacked plane attacks that struck both towers of the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon on Tuesday.
The President declared yesterday a national day of "prayer and remembrance" as the country sought to grapple with the shock of the attacks, to comfort the families of the dead and to cope with the pervasive sense of insecurity among the living.
"I just want them to know we are praying for their healing," said state employee Sandra Willis, her voice breaking, as she lined up to write a note of sympathy to the victims and their families in Tallahassee, Florida.
At Boston's Old North Church, where Paul Revere set off on his midnight ride to warn colonial militia in April 1775 of British troop movements, mourners quietly wept under umbrellas to fend off a pelting, cold rain.
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the Earth," said Massachusetts Gov Jane Swift, quoting Lincoln.
And she declared, "Our democracy is stronger now than it was three days ago before these cowardly acts of terrorism."
In the Atlanta suburb of Decatur, Georgia, firefighter James Fuller said he was sad and angry that hundreds of fellow rescue workers in New York lost their lives when the World Trade Centre's twin towers collapsed around them as they sought to save victims of the attacks.
"When one dies, we all die," he said at a memorial at the county courthouse, where many people waved American flags in a gesture of solidarity.
The Bush administration has identified Saudi-born exile Osama bin Laden as the prime suspect in the attacks.
Bin Laden is a multimillionaire who is believed to preside over a widespread international network from his base in Afghanistan.
With growing reports of harassment, vandalism and threats against Arab Americans, President Bush has sought to protect Muslims in America from discrimination or mistreatment.
To underscore Mr Bush's call for tolerance, the National Cathedral invited Muslim religious leader, Imam Muzammil Siddiqi, to read some verses from the Koran and say a prayer.
"Help us in our distress. Keep us together as people of diverse faiths, colours and races.
Keep our country strong for the sake of the good and righteousness, and protect us, oh Lord, from all evil," Imam Siddiqi said.
There were also readings by Rabbi Joshua Haberman and several Christian clerics and a sermon by evangelist Billy Graham, who said the country would rise above the attacks.
"Yes our nation has been attacked, buildings destroyed, lives lost.
But now we have a choice: Whether to implode and disintegrate emotionally and spiritually as a people and a nation, or whether we choose to become stronger ... to rebuild on a solid foundation," he said.
"And I believe we're in the process of starting to rebuild on that foundation. That foundation is our trust in God."
Rev Graham, like Bush, also sounded a martial note.
"We're facing a new kind of enemy.
We're involved in a new kind of warfare and we need the help of the spirit of God."
Mr Bush, whose eyes moistened when singer Denyce Graves sang America the Beautiful, turned steely at times in his speech.
"This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing."