10 years
Ten years ago, i was half way done with my PhD (meaning I hadn't written one single page, i was teaching and reading for my research instead).
I was at my office at the university of Lyon, the one i used to share with the lab director (before migrating to a much more funky buiding). A colleague came by, told us about a plane accident in New York City. I left the lab and when i got home and turned the TV, i couldn't believe it. I spent the next 5 or 6 hours watching TV. Like probably everybody else.
I never saw the TT, but Ground Zero instead...
10 years later, i completed my PhD eventually (2004) and so many things have happened meanwhile... Yet, it feels like it was yesterday.