A look back at one of the world’s biggest disasters – 9/11
September 11, 2001, will forever remain in history as one of the world’s tragic events that shook the very foundations of humanity. Nineteen men hijacked four fuel-loaded US commercial aeroplanes, leading to the loss of 2,977 innocent lives in New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The attack was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Here are some facts about the event
2,753 individuals lost their lives at the World Trade Center on that day. This was a result of the intentional crashing of hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 into the North and South Towers, known as the ‘Twin Towers’ as well as the subsequent collapses of the towers.
Among those who perished, 343 were New York City firefighters, 23 were New York City police officers, and 37 were officers at the Port Authority.
The victims were from the ages of two to 85 years, with approximately 75-80% of them being men.
184 people lost their lives when hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon building in Washington DC.
In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, 40 passengers and crew members who were onboard the United Airlines Flight 93 died. The hijackers chose to crash the plane in that location rather than their unknown target after the passengers and crew bravely attempted to regain control of the flight.
Timeline of the tragedy
September 11, 2001
- 8:46 a.m. ET: American Airlines Flight 11 strikes the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
- 9:03 a.m. ET: United Airlines Flight 175 strikes the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
- 9:37 a.m. ET: American Airlines Flight 77 strikes the Pentagon Building in Washington, DC.
- 9:59 a.m. ET: The South Tower of the WTC collapses in approximately 10 seconds.
- 10:03 a.m. ET: United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
- 10:28 a.m. ET: The North Tower of the WTC collapses. The time between the first attack and the collapse of both World Trade Center Towers was 102 minutes.
Aftermath
- December 13, 2001: The US government releases a tape in which Osama bin Laden takes responsibility for the attacks.
- December 18, 2001: Congress approves a measure to designate September 11 as "Patriot Day" on each anniversary of the attacks.
- January 2, 2011: President Barack Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, reopening and expanding the scope of the Victim Compensation Fund.
- September 7, 2021: The remains of two victims are identified by the New York City medical examiner's office through DNA testing.
- September 23, 2023: The New York City Fire Department announces that the number of first responders from the FDNY who have died from 9/11-related illnesses has reached 343, matching the number who lost their lives on the day of the terrorist attacks.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
