September 11th Terrorist Attacks Where were you on 9/11? That question has become part of the fabric of the American people’s lives since 9/11. Where were you? We all know where we were on that fateful day, the day that would change the course of history forever. This year marks the 13th Anniversary of that tragic day. On September 11th 2001 there was a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks that were launched by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda, these attacks occurred in the United States in New York City and Washington D.C. The attacks killed almost 3,000 people and caused $10 billion in property damage and infrastructure damage. Four passenger’s airliners were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists so they could be flown into buildings in suicide attacks. Two of these planes were called American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the North and South towers. Two hours later, both towers collapsed. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, targeted Washington D.C. but the plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, its passengers tried to overcome the hijackers. 3,000 people died in the attacks, including 227 civilians and 19 hijackers that were abroad the four planes. It was the deadliest incident for fire-fighters and law enforcement officers in the history of United States, with 343 and 72 killed respectively. Suspicion quickly fell on al-Qaeda, although the group’s leader, Osama bin Laden, denied any involvement, in 2004 he claimed responsibility for the attacks. Al-Qaeda and bin Laden cited U.S support of Israel, the presence of the U.S army in Saudi Arabia and sanctions against Iraq as motives for the attacks. United States responded to the attacks by launching the War of Terror and invading Afghanistan to get rid of the Taliban, which had kept the al-Qaeda. Many countries had strengthened their anti-terrorism legislation and also expanded law enforcement powers. Having evaded capture for years, bin Laden was found and killed by U.S. forces in May 2011. When the Twin Towers were destroyed and other properties caused serious damage to the economy of Lower Manhattan and had a massive effect on global markets, it closed Wall Street until September 17th and the civilian airspace in the U.S. and Canada until September 13th. Many closings, evacuations and cancellations followed the attack, this partly due to fear of further attacks or out of respect for the tragedy. A cleanup of the World Trade Centre site was completed in May 2002 and the Pentagon was repaired within a year. Memorials were constructed, including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York and the Pentagon Memorial and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. For all those people that perished on that day (September 11th 2001) women, men and children. To the heroes of 9/11 that risked their lives to save others, members of the New York Police Department (NYPD) and New York Fire Department (NYFD) may you rest in peace. “May the road rise up to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face And the rain fall soft upon your fields And until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of his hand” Author: Anon BY: Louise Cantillon.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:38:44 +0000
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