Remembering and Honoring the Victims of September 11th

Remembering September 11th

September 11, 2001 is a date that will forever live in infamy in American history. On that tragic day, 19 terrorists associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing two of them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. A third plane struck the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to retake control of the aircraft. The death toll from these attacks was 2,977 people. September 11th became known as the single deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

The Attacks Unfold

On the morning of September 11, 2001, teams of five al-Qaeda terrorists each hijacked separate coast-to-coast flights that had departed from airports in Boston, Newark, and Washington, D.C. The hijackers seized control of the cockpits and redirected the flights toward pre-determined targets in New York and Washington D.C. At 8:46am, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the northern facade of the World Trade Center's North Tower. Seventeen minutes later at 9:03am, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. Both impacts caused massive damage and immediate fires and fatalities. As the world watched the twin towers burn, the terrorists struck again at 9:37am when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the western side of the Pentagon.

Heroism Amid Tragedy

As the fires raged in the twin towers, first responders and civilians rushed into danger to help evacuate the buildings. Heartbreaking stories emerged of police officers, firefighters and EMTs who lost their lives trying to rescue people. Some civilians assisted with evacuations, while others called loved ones to say final goodbyes as the towers collapsed. Many companies lost dozens of employees in the chaos. Tragic audio recordings captured firefighters' final calls for help before the buildings fell.

After United Flight 175 struck the South Tower, New York City's emergency services operations center located in WTC 7 had to be evacuated. Despite the chaos, NYC's fire commissioner and police commissioner both returned to try to set up new command posts and continue rescue efforts. Their courageous efforts under devastating circumstances saved many lives that day.

Flight 93's Counterattack

Amidst the attacks, brave civilians on United Flight 93 teamed up to try to retake their hijacked aircraft. After learning of the other suicide attacks through phone calls, they decided to revolt against the hijackers. Their counterattack likely foiled al-Qaeda's plan to crash the jet into the White House or the U.S. Capitol Building. Instead, the plane went down in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all aboard but saving countless lives on the ground. The actions of those passengers represent true American bravery and heroism on one of the nation's darkest days.

America Responds

In the aftermath of September 11th, the United States reeled from the massive loss of life and devastating attacks on iconic buildings. As fires continued to burn at Ground Zero, President George W. Bush addressed the nation that night from the Oval Office. He denounced the attacks, offered condolences for the victims, and pledged to bring the attackers to justice. He also declared September 14th a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.

Rebuilding Efforts

Cleanup and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site took months. Tons of twisted steel and debris had to be carefully sifted through to collect remains of victims. As the cleanup wound down in May 2002, efforts shifted to rebuilding and repairing the site. After considerable debate, coordination and fundraising, the One World Trade Center tower was completed in 2014 as the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum also opened that same year, honoring the victims with reflective pools situated in the footprints of the original twin towers.

War on Terror

The U.S. intelligence community quickly confirmed Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda were behind the 9/11 attacks and operated from Afghanistan under Taliban protection. This sparked the War on Terror, beginning with the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan to find bin Laden and disrupt terrorist strongholds. Tips eventually led U.S. forces to a compound in Pakistan in 2011, where bin Laden was killed in a Navy SEAL raid ordered by President Barack Obama. However, terrorism remains an ongoing threat that requires continued vigilance and coordinated global security efforts.

Remembering the Victims

Each year on September 11th, solemn remembrance ceremonies are held across the U.S. to honor the victims. Moments of silence are observed at the times when each tower was struck and fell. The names of those killed are read aloud. Bagpipers play as first responders conduct flag-raising ceremonies. People attend memorial events or visit memorial sites to pay respects by leaving flowers, flags or other tributes. Services are also held in Shanksville, Pennsylvania to honor the Flight 93 victims.

9/11 Memorials

In addition to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, other notable memorials stand to honor different aspects of the tragedy. The Pentagon Memorial features benches engraved with each victim's name positioned along the flight path of American Airlines Flight 77. The Flight 93 National Memorial encompasses the Pennsylvania crash site and contains a marble wall engraving all 40 passengers' and crew members' names. Dozens of other public gardens, sculptures and memorials can be found throughout the country.

#NeverForget

To help keep the memory of September 11th's victims alive, many people post remembrance messages on social media each year. #NeverForget and #September11 often trend, with users sharing photos, stories and quotes to ensure the sacrifices from that day are always remembered. Some change their profile pictures to patriotic images or photos of the twin towers. Simple messages of "Never Forget 9-11-01" convey the ongoing deep emotional impact the attacks had on the country.

September 11, 2001 marked one of the most horrific tragedies in American history. But even in the darkest times, glimmers of hope and humanity can emerge. The courage, honor and sacrifice displayed by so many firefighters, police officers, first responders, service members and ordinary citizens in the aftermath of the attacks should always be remembered and revered.

FAQs

What happened on September 11, 2001?

On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airliners. They crashed two planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon near Washington D.C., and one into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to retake control.

How many people died in the 9/11 attacks?

The total death toll from the four plane crashes was 2,977 victims. This included 246 passengers on the four flights, 2,606 people in the World Trade Center and Pentagon, and 125 more individuals who later died from injuries or health conditions related to the attacks.

Who was behind the September 11 attacks?

The terrorist group al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, was responsible for planning and carrying out the attacks. They operated training camps in Afghanistan at the time with approval from the Taliban government.

How did America respond to 9/11?

The U.S. began the War on Terror in response, starting with invading Afghanistan to find bin Laden and al-Qaeda forces. Airport security measures also tightened. Cleanup and rebuilding of the attack sites began. Memorials were erected to honor victims.

How can we remember 9/11?

Americans can remember 9/11 by participating in memorial events, visiting memorial sites, displaying flags, observing moments of silence, and sharing commemorate messages on social media using hashtags like #NeverForget.