ABSTRACT

Perhaps for the first time since 1790-when it ceased being the federal capital-New York became archetypically American on 9/11. On that day New York became America. With the exception of scant coverage from the Pentagon (a military target), news coverage emanated from New York. The Twin Towers, a symbol of New York, became the symbol of “The Attack on America.” The “innocent civilians” attacked as presumptive Americans were New Yorkers. The benefit concerts became simultaneously New York and American events. New York was the place to be

(from). Fire and Police Department insignias (NYFD, NYPD) became ubiquitous. Chelsea Clinton wrote that she had become a New Yorker,3 and People magazine showed Former President Clinton and his daughter on the streets of New York as they “met with rescue workers and comforted families.”4 I argued in the Chapter 2 that George Bush’s journey to becoming a popularly accepted president included his pilgrimage to New York. This chapter explores the rhetorical construction of New York as an American city and Rudy Giuliani as “America’s mayor.”