Remembering 9/11

September 11, 2001. A date which will forever be ingrained in American history. A day when terrorist attacks shocked and horrified the world. A day when the United States of America was attacked on its own soil. Just 21 years ago, on the morning of September 11, 2001, four commercial passenger jet airliners were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists. Two of the planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. Within two hours, both 110-story towers collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 2,606 people, including the 147 on the two planes.

The third hijacked plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., resulting in the deaths of 125 people, including the 59 on the plane. The fourth hijacked plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was originally intended to be crashed into the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., but due to the heroic actions of the passengers and crew, the plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 40 on board.

In total, 2,977 people were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in world history.

In the aftermath of the attacks, the United States launched a global war on terrorism, invading Afghanistan to topple the Taliban regime, which had harbored the al-Qaeda terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks. In 2003, the United States invaded Iraq, claiming that the Iraqi government was developing weapons of mass destruction and had ties to al-Qaeda. Neither of these claims were supported by evidence.

The 9/11 attacks had a profound impact on the United States, both domestically and internationally. Politically, the attacks led to the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. The attacks also resulted in increased security at airports and other public places.

Internationally, the 9/11 attacks led to a decrease in global support for the United States and its policies. The Iraq War, in particular, was highly unpopular around the world.

On this somber anniversary, we remember the lives of those lost on 9/11, and we honor the first responders and others who risked their lives to save others. We also recommit ourselves to working for a world where such terrorist attacks never happen again.