Today is a day of remembrance for those who lost their lives in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania twenty-two years ago on the morning of September 11, 2001. We realize that none of our current students were born when September 11, 2023 occurred. But, this was a very important date in the history of our Nation. This was the day that America was attacked by terrorists, and its response to terrorism around the world that followed.
At 8:46 am, Eastern Standard Time, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
At 9:03, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
At 9:37, Flight 77 crashed into the western façade of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
By 9:42 am, for the first time in American history, all flights over or bound for the United States were grounded.
At 9:59 am, the South Tower collapsed.
At 10:07 am, the passengers and crew of Flight 93, after learning about the attacks in New York and Washington, attempted to retake their plane from the terrorists aboard. In response, the terrorists crashed the plane into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
At 10:28 am the World Trade Center North Tower collapsed.
At 8:30 pm, President George W. Bush, who started his day in an elementary school in Sarasota, Florida, addressed the nation from the White House, calling the attacks “evil, despicable acts of terror” and declaring that America, along with its friends and allies around the world, would “stand together to win the war against terrorism.”
The attack had a profound impact on the United States and the rest of the world. The United States Congress designated September 11 as “Patriot Day” to remember and honor those who died. On this day, flags are set to half-staff and many observe a moment of silence at 8:46 am.