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Lesson ID: 13237
Never forget September 11, 2001. Learn about the events of the worst terrorist attack in American history, as well as the courage and bravery shown in America's darkest hour.
September 11, 2001 began as a normal day in the United States. People woke up, went to work, and students headed to school. No one expected that morning to become one of the most tragic days in American history.
On this day, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in a coordinated terrorist attack carried out by members of the extremist group al-Qaeda. Four commercial airplanes were hijacked and used as weapons against important locations in the United States.
Although the attacks caused terrible destruction and loss, they also revealed powerful examples of courage, sacrifice, and unity.
Understanding what happened that day helps people remember the victims and learn from history.
Understanding the Events of 9/11
Historians often study important events by asking five key questions:
The attacks took place on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001.
They happened in three locations in the United States:
A group of 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes that had taken off from airports along the East Coast of the United States. Their plan was to crash the planes into important American targets.
The Timeline of the Attacks
At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The plane was traveling at about 470 miles per hour when it struck the building.
Emergency responders quickly began organizing a citywide response. Firefighters, police officers, and rescue teams rushed toward the towers.
Just 17 minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., a second plane — United Airlines Flight 175 — struck the South Tower at about 590 miles per hour. At that moment, it became clear that the United States was under attack.
The fires and structural damage weakened the buildings.
The collapse created enormous clouds of dust and debris that spread across lower Manhattan. Communication systems became overwhelmed as millions of phone calls flooded emergency lines.
Several nearby buildings were also badly damaged. One building that housed the city’s emergency command center burned for hours before collapsing later that afternoon.
Rescue workers searched through the rubble throughout the day, hoping to find survivors.
The Attack on the Pentagon
Another hijacked plane, American Airlines Flight 77, struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, at 9:37 a.m.
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. The building was heavily damaged, and many people inside were killed, but the structure itself did not collapse.
Flight 93 and the Passengers’ Courage
United Airlines Flight 93 took off from Newark, New Jersey, at 8:42 a.m. heading toward San Francisco. There were 37 passengers and 7 crew members on board.
About 45 minutes into the flight, terrorists forced their way into the cockpit and took control of the plane.
At first, most passengers did not know what was happening outside the aircraft. Some passengers used the plane’s onboard phones to call family members and airline officials. During those calls, they learned that planes had already struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The passengers realized their plane was likely being used as another weapon.
Instead of waiting, the passengers and crew made a decision to fight back.
They discussed their options, took a vote, and created a plan to stop the hijackers.
The group rushed toward the cockpit in an attempt to regain control of the plane. The terrorists tried to stop them by flying the plane sharply from side to side.
Moments later, the plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at more than 500 miles per hour.
Investigators later concluded the hijackers were likely heading toward Washington, D.C., possibly targeting the U.S. Capitol or the White House.
Because of the passengers’ actions, the terrorists did not reach their intended target. Their bravery may have saved many more lives.
The Aircraft Used in the Attacks
The four hijacked planes were large commercial aircraft designed for long flights.
American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 were Boeing 767 airplanes commonly used for cross-country flights.
American Airlines Flight 77 and United Airlines Flight 93 were Boeing 757 airplanes. These aircraft could carry more than 180 passengers.
On September 11, the planes were flying long routes across the country and were carrying large amounts of jet fuel. When the planes struck their targets, the fuel caused massive fires and explosions.
Remembering the Victims
Nearly 3,000 people were killed during the attacks on September 11, 2001.
The victims included passengers on the airplanes, office workers in the World Trade Center, military personnel and civilians at the Pentagon, and many first responders who rushed in to help.
Firefighters, police officers, and emergency workers risked — and in many cases lost — their lives while trying to save others.
Even during one of the darkest moments in American history, many acts of bravery and selflessness took place.
Head to the Got It? section to review this infamous day.
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