Past events have changed our lives 
The lives of Americans were forever changed on September 11, 2001. Four planes were hijacked by 19 terrorists from Al Queda, which was led by Osama Bin Laden. The terrorists went smuggled box cutters and knives through airport security to board on planes that were all bound for California. At 8:45 a.m. on a beautiful Tuesday morning, the north tower of the World Trade Center was slammed into by an American Airlines Boeing 767. The impact left a gaping hole on the 80th floor and a gaping hole in many hearts. Hundreds of people were instantly killed, and hundreds of people were trapped above where the airplane crashed. 18 minutes after the first plane hit, a United Airlines Boeing 767 slammed into the 60th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center. As the steel building collapsed, burning debris fell onto the city and streets, impacting our country forever. Americans then knew that our country was under attack.
As millions watched the events unfold in New York City, American Airlines Flight 77 circled Washington, D.C. and crashed into the west side of the Pentagon military headquarters at 9:45 a.m. Jet fuel leaking out of the airplane caused the devastating collapse of the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense. The fourth plane, United Flight 93, was hijacked 40 minutes after leaving Newark Liberty International Airport. Because the flight was delayed, passengers and flight attendants were aware of the events in New York City. The passengers fought the hijackers and are suspected to have attacked the cockpit with a fire extinguisher. The plane spun upwards and hit the ground at nearly 500 miles per hour, crashing in a rural field in Pennsylvania at 10:10 a.m. All 44 people aboard were killed.
A total of 2,996 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks. It is a day that will never be forgotten in America, and a memory that will be instilled in many Americans’ minds. The location of the World Trade Center is now replaced with a waterfall monument, honoring those that were killed. As night falls, people can see the light tribute shine in remembrance of the Twin Towers.
One World Trade Center, also known as One World Trade, One WTC, and formerly called the Freedom Tower during initial planning stages, is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan, New York City.
“One World Trade” reminds us that through strength, courage and resilience, we keep moving forward with positive inspiration”-LAO.
July 2, 2024 Written by: Kaitlyn Keenan /Graphics: Kat Eddy
Marketing and Communication interns
