On September 11, 2001, at 8:45 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an
American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel
crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel
crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the
110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping
hundreds more in higher floors.
110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping
hundreds more in higher floors.
As the evacuation of the tower and its twin got underway, television
cameras broadcasted live images of what initially appeared to be a freak
accident. Then, 18 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing
767—United Airlines Flight 175—appeared out of the sky, turned sharply
toward the World Trade Center and sliced into the south tower near the
60th floor.
cameras broadcasted live images of what initially appeared to be a freak
accident. Then, 18 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing
767—United Airlines Flight 175—appeared out of the sky, turned sharply
toward the World Trade Center and sliced into the south tower near the
60th floor.
The collision caused a massive explosion that showered burning debris
over surrounding buildings and onto the streets below. It immediately
became clear that America was under attack.
over surrounding buildings and onto the streets below. It immediately
became clear that America was under attack.
Sixteen years ago, the world stood in horror as New York’s World Trade Center Twin Towers came crumbling down after two hijacked planes smashed into the buildings, killing thousands of people, making it the deadliest terror attack ever in America.
Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade
Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside
Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in
Pennsylvania.
Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside
Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in
Pennsylvania.
Almost 3,000 people were killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which
triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defined the
presidency of George W. Bush.
triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defined the
presidency of George W. Bush.
At least 1,000 members, rescuers, survivors, and officials gather at the ceremony every year. The ceremony at the World Trade Center begins with a moment of silence. As tolling bells ring, relatives read out the names of the 3,000 victims from the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the flights that were hijacked. Later on, two bright and powerful light beams where the towers once stood, shines throughout the night in New York.