The day domestic American planes fell out of the sky and hit the tallest buildings in the country ended up being the day that would be impossible for me to forget.
On September 11, 2001, Americans were taken by surprise when four airplanes were hijacked by members of al-Queda, one of the most feared terroristic organizations in the world. That morning, almost 3,000 people lost their lives in the most deadly terror attack on US soil. Two airplanes hit the World Trade Center buildings in New York City which caused the structures of the buildings to melt. The two buildings crumbled to the ground and enveloped the streets of New York City in dust and debris. The Pentagon in Washington DC was also hit by an airplane leaving a large gaping hole in the side of the building. The fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania. The brave passengers and members of the flight crew took the risk of fighting the hijackers which caused the plane to nose dive into the ground before the hijackers could make it to the intended target.
After the surprise attack, the president, George W. Bush said, "Today, our nation saw evil -- the very worst of human nature -- and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could."
The immediate aftermath of the World Trade Center buildings was caught on live television as local and national news teams went on location to catch the story. People across the US watched the buildings burn and witnessed the horror as people on New York City streets tried to make sense of what had happened. People were looking up into the sky trying to figure out why the airplanes had hit the two buildings. The chaos was evident as people started to jump out of the burning skyscrapers.
The entire nation was shut down as the country as a security measure and we waited to find out who was behind the hijackings and the total death toll. With an estimated 50,000 people working in the World Trade Centers on an average weekday, it was unimaginable that the death toll was not higher. Some people expected war to break out. Everyone was on edge.
The immediate response from Americans in New York was to show solidarity by volunteering in rescue efforts but for those who did not live near the locations of the attacks their response was to spend time with family and friends. Many people started going back to church and even more people bought American flags to display on their homes and cars. People realized the value of their time as we heard stories of those who were killed in the attacks attempting to call their loved ones before passing.
“It was the worst day we have ever seen but it brought out the best in all of us,” John Kerry said in response to how Americans were able to pull together after the tragedy.
Memorials for 9/11 are held every year in commemoration of the innocent and brave people who lost their lives on the day of the attack. The site of the attack in New York City became known as Ground Zero. Memorials have also been held for the rescuers, police officers and firefighters who would later lose their lives to diminishing health caused by exposure to the debris found at Ground Zero.
This year comedian, Jon Stewart, broke down emotionally before Congress in an attempt to advocate for funding to help 9/11 rescuers with their health. Since the attack, another 241 Americans who were rescuers have died.
9/11 will forever be remembered as a day America was torn apart by terrorism.
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