Comedy After 9/11: David Letterman, Jon Stewart & The Onion Reclaim Normal (VIDEOS)

Comedy After 9/11
FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2011 file photo provided by CBS Broadcasting, host David Letterman is shown on the "Late Show with David Letterman," in New York. CBS announced Tuesday, April 3, 2012 that both Letterman and Craig Ferguson have re-upped to keep hosting their respective hours _ "Late Show" and "The Late Late Show" _ through 2014. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting, John Paul Filo).
FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2011 file photo provided by CBS Broadcasting, host David Letterman is shown on the "Late Show with David Letterman," in New York. CBS announced Tuesday, April 3, 2012 that both Letterman and Craig Ferguson have re-upped to keep hosting their respective hours _ "Late Show" and "The Late Late Show" _ through 2014. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting, John Paul Filo).

How do you move on after a tragedy? When do things become normal again?

For many, being able to laugh is the first giant step forward.

In the weeks that followed the September 11 terrorist attacks, late night hosts, comedy writers, and satirists of all stripes slowly returned to the business of making us laugh, while also sharing their grief, confusion and sense of loss.

From David Letterman's heartfelt opening monologue to The Onion's cathartic angry God to Marc Maron simply going to work at a comedy club, these steps, large and small, helped Americans turn the corner.

Here are some of the most important moments in comedy following September 11, 2001. How many do you remember and which one affected you the most? (Note: many of the clips are not available for embed, so we have provided links to where you can view them.)

David Letterman

Comedy After 9/11

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