After September 11, several television shows went on a brief hiatus as the nation tried to recover from and cope with the worst disaster most people of a certain age had ever seen. “The Daily Show” was one of those, and left the air for nine days during constant coverage of ground zero by news channels and fundraisers for the victims and their families.

When the show returned, we were all changed, and Jon Stewart, whose usual witty banter and lovingly sarcastic demeanor were scrubbed away, addressed us as a nation. Watch or re-watch the monologue below. Caution: it’s a tear-jerker.

Thanks to Buzzfeed.

Image: YouTube