The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. ( Eastern Daylight Time ) . This is the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11 , 2001 . The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. ( Eastern Daylight Time ) , the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11 , 2001 .