Another attack on America.

The September 11 attacks, also known as 9/11, were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by the extremist group al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of September 11, 2001. Four commercial airplanes were hijacked by 19 terrorists.

• World Trade Center: Two of the 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, causing both towers to collapse within hours.
• Pentagon: A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, causing significant damage to the western side of the military headquarters.
• Flight 93: The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was headed towards a target in Washington, D.C. (suspected to be either the White House or the Capitol). However, passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers, and the plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, preventing further destruction.

Casualties:

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks, including the passengers on the planes, workers in the buildings, emergency responders, and bystanders. The fatalities included citizens from over 90 countries.

Immediate Aftermath:

• Rescue and Recovery: The immediate response involved massive search and rescue operations. Thousands of first responders and volunteers participated in efforts to find survivors and recover bodies from the wreckage.
• Economic Impact: The attacks caused significant economic disruption, with the stock markets closing for several days and many businesses in lower Manhattan being destroyed or severely damaged.

Long-term Consequences:

• War on Terror: The U.S. launched the War on Terror, beginning with the invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power.

• Homeland Security: The attacks led to the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security and the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act, which expanded surveillance and security measures across the country.

Memorials

Several memorials have been established, including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.