Today marks the thirteenth anniversary of 9/11 one of the most tragic days in US history.

Despite the series of events that took place in Washington DC and New York that Tuesday morning in 2001, its the spirit, unity and love that brought America together in the days after in a way that it had never seen before.

A spirit of love that should never be forgotten just because time has passed. Especially in a climate where new threats against the US present themselves daily, and even closer to home we deal with struggles of police brutality, racial profiling and racial tension.

On October 30, 2001, a group of popular recording artists collaborated on versions of the Marvin Gaye classic “What’s Going On” to benefit AIDS programs in Africa and other impoverished regions. Jermaine Dupri and Bono produced the radio single version, whose performers included Britney Spears, Ja Rule, Nas, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit, Destiny’s Child, Lil’ Kim, Backstreet Boys, Monica, Gaye’s own daughter Nona, and many other popular artists.

The song was recorded shortly before the September 11, 2001 attacks, and it was decided afterwards that a portion of the song’s proceeds would benefit the American Red Cross’ September 11 fund as well.

Get into today’s Throwback Thursday–All Star Tribute ‘What’s Going On’