Time Person of The Year 2001: How America's Mayor Rudy Giuliani Led New York Through the 9/11 Tragedy
Updated: Oct 1
Rudy Giuliani Time person of the year 2001
In 2001, Rudy Giuliani, the Mayor of New York City, was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year, hailed as "Mayor of the World" for his stewardship during the tragic events of September 11. When terror struck America's greatest city, he stood firm, stayed visible, and refused to let New York break.
The devastating attacks on the World Trade Center left the city and the nation reeling. Giuliani's calm, resolute, and empathetic response steadied a shaken city and carried it through its darkest hours.
His highly visible role during the crisis made him the public face of New York's response, and his leadership in the days that followed led the city's recovery. TIME's selection reflected the weight of that role as New York confronted an unprecedented national tragedy.
9/11: America's Darkest Day
On that fateful day, Giuliani was hailed for his quick decision making, staying visible and accessible while giving New Yorkers and fellow Americans a rock to stand on. After learning that a plane had struck the World Trade Center, he rushed to the scene and was nearly buried alive when the towers began to collapse. Forced to abandon the city's emergency command center, he and his administration set up a temporary base and kept the city running as the crisis unfolded.
Giuliani's efforts to coordinate the city's immediate response placed him at the center of the emergency. He established a makeshift command center, directed emergency operations, and prepared for the possibility of another attack. Through it all, he delivered regular public briefings that kept New Yorkers informed as the crisis unfolded. TIME reported that the response also included setting up a temporary morgue and securing essential emergency supplies.
His calm demeanor, steady communication with the public, and visible leadership made him a symbol of stability when America needed one most. TIME's Person of the Year profile credited Giuliani with holding off despair long enough for New York and the nation to regain their balance. That is why his leadership became so closely tied to the city's response to September 11.
Giuliani & The Aftermath of 9/11
Giuliani's leadership didn't end when the dust settled. He worked tirelessly in the weeks and months that followed, driving New York's long process of healing and recovery. He played a pivotal role in lifting the city's morale, even after losing many dear friends in the attack on the World Trade Center.
Giuliani stood with New Yorkers in their grief. He kept appearing publicly, meeting with grieving families and attending memorial services for victims, including members of the city's police and fire departments. He attended close to 200 wakes, memorials, and funerals during this period, according to The New York Times.
At the same time, Giuliani fought to restore a sense of normalcy to New York. His administration pushed to reopen major institutions and keep the city functioning despite the devastation, including the New York Stock Exchange and Major League Baseball. The message was clear: New York would not be broken, and life in the city would go on.
TIME's selection of Giuliani as Person of the Year was a verdict on how he led when America needed it most. That day cemented his legacy and his place in post-9/11 history.
Giuliani's leadership during September 11 was a defining moment of his mayoralty and career that still earns him the status of America's Mayor. Explore his broader record and efforts to reshape New York with our look at Rudy Giuliani: The Transformative Mayor of New York City.
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