1 Year Later, Boston Remembers Those Lost in the Marathon Bombing

Today marks one year since the Boston Marathon bombing, and this year, the city is making special efforts to remember those lost in the tragedy. Families and friends of victims participated in a wreath-laying ceremony near the finish-line site on Tuesday, with flowers and handwritten messages lining the street. During the event, Vice President Joe Biden delivered a few remarks, closing with some powerful words:

"We will never yield. We will never cower. America will never, ever, ever stand down. We are Boston. We are America. We respond, we endure, we overcome, and we own the finish line. God bless you all, and may God protect our troops."

Visitors also gathered at the Boston Public Library to view the memorial exhibition Dear Boston: Messages From the Marathon Memorial, where flags, objects, and handwritten notes for the victims have been collected and put on display. Boston College students paid their respects over the weekend, too, organizing their own "bandit marathon" a week ahead of this year's race, with students running the exact same route as the actual race.

Since last year's marathon, Boston Marathon bombing survivors' inspiring stories have made headlines, and earlier this month, people saw love in the wake of the tragedy as a Boston Marathon couple got married ahead of the one-year anniversary. Rebekah Gregory and Pete DiMartino were dating at the time of last year's marathon, both of them suffering injuries, and Pete popped the question last October. The couple won The Knot's 2014 Dream Wedding, and on April 4, the sweet couple said "I do" in a gorgeous ceremony that was streamed live on the site. On Monday, the newlyweds will join thousands of people participating in this year's marathon, with Pete pushing Rebekah in her wheelchair. Pete told Glamour, "It'll take some of the strain off my legs. Together we're both stronger." Rebekah noted that running the race will serve as a form of closure, adding, "This whole situation has made me appreciate myself, and us, more than ever. I've got huge scars, but at the same time, every time I notice them, I think, 'I'm a survivor.'"

Getty | Jared Wickerham

The families and friends of Boston Marathon bombing victims gathered for a wreath-laying ceremony near the finish line.

Getty | Jared Wickerham

Flags waved during the wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Getty | Andrew Burton

Flowers were set along the finish line of the Boston Marathon on the one-year anniversary of the 2013 bombing.

Getty | Andrew Burton

A woman became emotional during the wreath-laying ceremony on the one-year anniversary.

Getty | Andrew Burton

A woman hung her handwritten message on a tree of notes at the Boston Public Library's memorial exhibition.

Getty | Darren McCollester

A giant display of running shoes is part of the library's Boston Marathon bombing memorial exhibition.

Getty | Darren McCollester

Crosses pay tribute to those lost in the tragedy.

Getty | Andrew Burton

"Boston Strong" t-shirts were on sale at Marathon Sports, a running store located near the site of the bombing.

Getty | Andrew Burton

Boston College students organized a "bandit marathon," running the route one week before the race.

Getty | Andrew Burton

Students clapped and cheered as they finished their own, unofficial marathon.

Getty | Andrew Burton

An electronic billboard read "Boston Strong" near the finish line.

Getty | Andrew Burton

A memorial quilt was on display during the flag-raising ceremony at Boston Medical Center.

Getty | Andrew Burton

A knitted tribute with a note — "No more hurting people. Peace." — hung on a street light along the Boston Marathon course.

Getty | Darren McCollester

Objects from the Boston Marathon bombing are on display at the Boston Public Library's memorial exhibition.

Getty | Andrew Burton

A collection of handwritten messages were hung at the Boston Public Library as part of its Dear Boston: Messages From the Marathon Memorial exhibition.

Getty | Darren McCollester

Visitors paid their respects to those lost at the library's exhibition.

Getty | Andrew Burton

A t-shirt reading "2014: Like Never Before" was on sale at a nearby running apparel store.

Getty | Andrew Burton

Boston College students were all smiles as they crossed the finish line during their bandit marathon a week before the official race.

Getty | Jared Wickerham

A huge group of people braved the rainy weather to attend the commemoration ceremony.

Getty | Jared Wickerham

Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the one-year anniversary memorial.