TERROR
20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks
September 11, 2021 - On Tuesday 11 September 2001, suicide attackers hijacked four passenger jets and crashed them into New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, killing almost 3,000 people in the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
Two airplanes hijacked by terrorists tied to al-Qaeda flew into the World Trade Center in New York, collapsing the towers later in the day. Just outside Washington, another hijacked plane flew into the Pentagon. A fourth hijacked plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania as passengers and the crew attempted to retake the cockpit.
In all, 2,977 people (not counting the 19 hijackers) lost their lives, most of them in New York. The attack remains one of the most traumatic events of the century, not only for Americans but also for the world.
Less than a month after the attacks, President George W Bush led an invasion of Afghanistan to eradicate al-Qaeda and hunt down Bin Laden. However, it was not until 2011 that U.S. troops finally located and killed Bin Laden in neighbouring Pakistan.
U.S. troops left Afghanistan this year after nearly 20 years, stoking fears from many that the al-Qaeda could make a comeback.
President Joe Biden is expected to attend the 9/11 memorial in New York City to mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
- Timeline from 9/11 (Memorial website)
- Biden expected to visit NYC’s 9/11 memorial site for 20th anniversary of attacks (POLITICO)
- September 11 attacks: What happened that day and after (BBC)
- 20 years since 9/11: Museum launches fund so next generation 'never forgets' (USA Today)
- Timeline of the September 11 Attacks (Encyclopedia Britannica)