Apple closed its stores across the United States today for several hours to commemorate co-founder Steve Jobs, who died on October 5th.

Apple's retail stores were shuttered with its signature tall glass windows covered with white sheets to keep the proceedings secret.

Store employees are using the time to view a live broadcast of an event to celebrate his life. The event is being held at an outdoor amphitheatre at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California, according to a source familiar with the plans.

Stores in California were closed from 9am Pacific time to noon.

In addition to the closings, the company published a "Remembering Steve" page on the Internet, compiling more than one million email tributes it has received since Jobs died at the age of 56.

The employee celebration follows a private memorial service for Jobs at Stanford University that was attended by Silicon Valley luminaries, politicians and celebrities.

Jobs died after suffering from a rare form of pancreatic cancer. Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in a memo to employees on October 10th that a celebration would be held today.

Reuters