U.S. President Barack Obama says Americans should honor the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by doing acts of charity.
The country will mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in just over two weeks. In his weekly address to the nation Saturday, Obama called for the anniversary to be a National Day of Remembrance and Service.
Nearly 3,000 people died when terrorists hijacked four U.S. commercial airplanes and flew them into New York's Twin Towers and the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed to the ground in the eastern state of Pennsylvania.
Obama said he and first lady Michelle Obama will take part in a local service project in Washington and join commemorations at the sites of each plane crash.
Watch President Obama's weekly address
Opposition Republicans used their weekly address Saturday to focus on the country's lagging economy.
Republican Senator Dean Heller of the western state of Nevada criticized the president, saying the Obama administration's policies are costing the country needed jobs.
The U.S. jobless rate has remained at 9 percent or higher for more than two years.
Watch the Republican's weekly address