Introduction
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (also known as 9/11), were the deadliest in U.S. history. Four passenger planes—two from Boston, Massachusetts, and one each from Virginia and New Jersey—were hijacked by members of al-Qaeda, an extremist terrorist group, and used as weapons. The hijackers deliberately crashed the planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, and thousands of people were killed.
Rescue and recovery efforts began the morning of the attacks and continued for months. The world was forever changed—culturally, economically, and militarily—and there are many reminders of 9/11 even today.
Those who died on 9/11 are honored and remembered nationally and locally with memorials, awards, and service opportunities.
Learn about the events and impact of September 11 and answer the essential question:
In New York City, the World Trade Center’s “Twin Towers” were engulfed in flames after terrorist hijackers flew two passenger planes into the buildings. The towers collapsed soon after.
Essential Question
How did September 11, 2001, affect communities locally and across the nation, both immediately and in the years since?
President George W. Bush visited New York City three days after the attacks.
