The history of the United States was forever changed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Four planes were hijacked that day and two of them flew into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, killing 2,996 people, injuring thousands and affecting millions around the world.

In remembrance, South King Fire and Rescue will hold its annual 9/11 observance service to commemorate the significance of the day’s events, and to honor those who lost their lives, including the 343 firefighters who died while rescuing people from the towers.

The service will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Fire Station 64, 3700 S. 320th St., Federal Way. In front of the fire station is a steel beam from the World Trade Center that stands as a memorial for the civilians and first responders who died in the attacks. The beam was retrieved by two South King Fire and Rescue firefighters in 2001.

The observance will include guest speaker Jeff Cool, a retired New York City Fire Department firefighter.

Cool is a survivor of the tragic Jan. 23, 2005, incident known as Black Sunday. On that day, six firefighters in the Bronx were trapped on the top floor of a blazing apartment, with all of the men jumping out of the building’s windows in an attempt to save their lives.

Cool survived with critical injuries, while the other FDNY firefighters were killed or severely injured.