As each year swings by, numerous dates pass such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter; however, there is one date that stands out. That date united America and should never be forgotten: September 11, 2001.
September 11, 2001, would be the date that would shape U.S. history forever. Thousands of people woke up to an ordinary day, thinking it would be just another day of going to work. They couldn’t have been more mistaken.
The attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were the work of an anti-American terrorist group called al-Qaeda. Tensions had been rising between the two groups, but nothing had come of it. However, unknownst to America, al-Qaeda had been planting terrorists in the U.S. to achieve this attack. These appointed people had been in the U.S. for years, going to school and learning how to fly aircraft so that when the time came, they would be ready for whenever the call came.
That call came on the morning of September 11, 2001. American Airlines Flight 11 had just taken off from Boston, and nobody thought anything of it. At 8:46 a.m., that flight piloted into the north tower, killing thousands upon the explosion. While the events were unfolding, many thought that this was just an accident involving a commercial plane. That was until the second plane struck. Seventeen minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the southern tower, causing another deafening explosion. At this point it was evident: these were no accidents; America was under attack.
Thousands of first responders flocked to the scene, desperately trying to save as many lives as possible. While many were saved, most work was futile, as many civilians did not make it out alive. At 9:59 a.m., the southern tower fell to the streets of Manhattan. Clouds of debris and smoke filled the air, making it impossible to breathe or see. Just 29 minutes later, the northern tower collapsed, raining even more debris onto the city streets. Buildings that used to show America’s prosperity were now piles of smashed rubble on the ground.
As horrific as the events were, one must remember that day of 2001. One must be grateful and honor the thousands of people who sacrificed their lives to save others. All those people, first responders and citizens alike, helped to show the strength of America. America did not cower; instead, she shook her fists in defiance, showing her bravery to the world. September 11, didn’t break America, it knit her together.
Credit: Britannica