President Obama led the nation in a moment of silence on Monday for the victims in the Arizona shooting, standing somberly with his wife, Michelle, their heads bowed, overlooking the South Lawn of the White House.
Mr. and Mrs. Obama stepped outside the White House, and with the toll of a single bell by a Marine guard, silence fell in Washington and across the nation.
Hundreds of Congressional aides gathered on the steps of the East Front of the Capitol to mark the moment. The dead included a member of their own ranks, Gabriel M. Zimmerman, the director of community outreach for Representative Gabrielle Giffords; Mr. Zimmerman had been organizing the sort of constituent event that many staff members have attended themselves without much concern about public safety.
Most lawmakers remained in their home states and districts.
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