A Day That Changed the World: September 11, 2001
On the morning of September 11, 2001, New Yorkers awoke to clear skies and warm, late-summer sunshine. It was an ordinary Tuesday, and people were preparing for another typical day of work and school.
Thousands made their way to the World Trade Center, a complex of seven buildings in Lower Manhattan, including two iconic skyscrapers known as the Twin Towers. Each tower stood 110 stories tall and soared about 1,360 feet into the sky—then the tallest structures in New York City. No one could have imagined that by the end of that day, both towers would be reduced to rubble.
A Nation in Shock
In a city accustomed to the sound of planes overhead, something about that morning felt different. People paused on sidewalks and peered into the sky. The roar of a low-flying aircraft grew louder—too loud—and in a shocking moment, an airplane crashed directly into one of the Twin Towers.
At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 slammed into the north tower, tearing a massive gash between the 93rd and 99th floors. Flames and thick smoke billowed from the building. At first, many assumed it was a tragic accident—until, just 17 minutes later, a second aircraft struck the south tower.
United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into floors 77 to 85 at 9:03 a.m. This second impact was caught live on cameras and broadcast repeatedly across TV screens. The country quickly realized these were no accidents. Hijackers—armed attackers who seize control of vehicles—had taken over both flights and intentionally flown them into the towers.
The Assault Continues
It became clear: the United States was under a coordinated attack. Less than 30 minutes after the second plane hit New York, a third jetliner, American Airlines Flight 77, was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon—the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters—in Arlington, Virginia. The crash sent fireballs into the air and tore a hole into the side of the building.
The government swiftly ordered all aircraft in U.S. airspace to land immediately. However, it was already too late for one more plane—United Airlines Flight 93. Hijackers had taken over the flight and were heading toward Washington, D.C.
Onboard, passengers and crew made desperate phone calls to their loved ones, learning about the other attacks. Realizing their plane might also be used as a weapon, they bravely fought back. During the struggle, passenger Todd Beamer was heard saying the now-famous words: “Are you ready? OK, let’s roll.”
Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, narrowly missing what many believe was its intended target—a government building in the nation’s capital.
Heroes in Action
In New York, panic and chaos filled the streets as dark smoke poured from the towers. Thousands fled the area, later called Ground Zero. First responders—firefighters, police officers, EMTs—rushed to the scene, risking their lives. Despite collapsed elevators and blocked stairways, they climbed floor after floor to reach those trapped inside.
The Towers Collapse
The force of the plane crashes caused irreparable damage. Floors were shattered, and steel beams were severed. Fires fueled by jet fuel raged uncontrollably. Eventually, the intense heat weakened the buildings’ structures.
The south tower was the first to fall. In just ten seconds, it crumbled. The north tower followed 29 minutes later.
Thanks to the bravery of rescue workers, over 25,000 people were able to evacuate. Yet nearly 3,000 individuals lost their lives in the attacks that day—passengers, workers, first responders, and others at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard the four planes.
America Responds
The attacks devastated the country. President George W. Bush led a national day of mourning, then vowed justice. Soon, it was revealed that al Qaeda, a terrorist group based in Afghanistan and led by Osama bin Laden, was responsible. The hijackers had been part of their plan to strike at the heart of the United States.
In October 2001, the U.S. and its allies launched military operations in Afghanistan to target al Qaeda. It would take nearly a decade to locate and kill bin Laden, who was found in Pakistan in 2011.
Unity in Tragedy
Though the attacks happened on American soil, the world reacted with compassion. People from many nations left flowers at U.S. embassies, lit candles, and sang the American national anthem in solidarity. A French newspaper famously declared, “Nous sommes tous Américains”—“We are all Americans.”
Back in the U.S., citizens came together in powerful ways. Communities donated food, supplies, and more than $2.8 billion to help victims’ families. Messages of gratitude and love were delivered to exhausted rescue workers.
September 11, 2001, was one of the darkest days in U.S. history. But amid the destruction, there was also courage, compassion, and a renewed sense of unity. As Senator John Kerry said, “It was the worst day we have ever seen, but it brought out the best in all of us.”