The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated Islamist terrorist suicide attacks carried out by the extremist group al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of September 11, 2001
. Key facts about the attacks:
- Nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes.
- Two planes (American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175) were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City at 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m. respectively. Both towers collapsed within hours.
- A third plane (American Airlines Flight 77) crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, at 9:37 a.m., causing partial collapse.
- The fourth plane (United Airlines Flight 93) crashed into a field in Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m. after passengers attempted to retake control from hijackers; it was believed to be targeting either the U.S. Capitol or the White House
Casualties and impact:
- Approximately 2,977 people were killed, including passengers, first responders, and civilians. This makes it the deadliest terrorist attack in history.
- The attacks caused massive destruction, including the collapse of the Twin Towers and severe damage to the Pentagon.
- The attacks led to thousands of injuries and long-term health consequences for many survivors and responders.
- The attacks profoundly affected the U.S. and global politics, leading to the U.S. launching the War on Terror, including the invasion of Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power
Broader consequences:
- The attacks prompted significant changes in U.S. and international security policies and anti-terrorism legislation.
- The event remains a defining moment in 21st-century American history, remembered for the massive loss of life and the heroism of first responders and passengers
Motivation and perpetrators:
- Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, claimed responsibility. Their motivations included opposition to U.S. support for Israel, U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq
In summary, September 11th marks a tragic and pivotal event involving terrorist attacks that reshaped global security and American society. The memory of the victims and the consequences of the attacks continue to influence policy and culture today