A look at how the world has changed since September 11	Day 8: Two cities

Lisa Topaltzas at the grave of her aunt, who worked and died in the World Trade Center's North Tower. (Globe Staff Photo / Domonic Chavez)

A year later, New Yorkers still feel tragedy's void For nearly three decades, New Yorkers looked to the 110-story beacons at the foot of Manhattan to guide them home. A year after the towers crumbled, people who live and work in the nation's largest city are still searching to find their way. Federal help seen lagging in New York Washington answers call to be prepared for disaster Washington is a target. This sudden fact of life is so profound that the government was transformed into a war machine, and so personal that families have packed survival kits and plotted escape routes.

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WTC companies poised to return Famous US flag has disappeared FDNY morale said to be low Giuliani rose to lead the city Firefighters shun hero tag Flow of money to NYC slow Museums respond in many ways 1,600 vie to design DC memorial Small businesses still recovering Street shrines still dot NYC Investors focused on economy Wall Street now better prepared Damaged atrium to reopen

MESSAGE BOARD Have you been to New York or Washington since the attacks? If so, what did you notice? What has changed? What things remain the same? Read messages  CHAT TRANSCRIPT A changed New York: Globe reporter Tatsha Robertson chatted from New York about the mood of the city one year after the terrorist attack.