Tragedy struck the U.S. on September 11th, 2001 when terrorists from an Islamic extremist group known as al-Qaeda targeted the twin towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and overtook a fourth plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. Today, on the 19th anniversary of the attacks, we want to reflect on the lives lost on that fateful day.
The morning of September 11th, 2001, nineteen al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four California-bound commercial airplanes from their departures on the East Coast.
7:59 a.m. - Flight 11 takes off from Boston, MA. Five hijackers aboard a flight of 11 crew members and 76 passengers.
8:15 a.m. - Flight 175 takes off from Boston, MA. Five hijackers aboard a flight of nine crew members and 51 passengers.
8:19 a.m. - Flight 11 crew members alert ground personnel that they are being hijacked.
8:20 a.m. - Flight 77 takes off from Washington, D.C. Five hijackers aboard a flight of six crew members and 53 passengers.
8:42 a.m. - Flight 93 takes off from Newark, NJ. Four hijackers aboard a flight of seven crew members and 33 passengers.
8:46 a.m. - Five hijackers crash Flight 11 into the North Tower between floors 93 and 99. Hundreds killed instantly and hundreds left stranded as the emergency exits are destroyed.
8:52 a.m. - Flight Attendant from Flight 175 reports hijacking underway.
9:03 a.m. - Five hijackers crash Flight 175 into the South Tower between floors 77 and 85. Hundreds killed instantly and hundreds left stranded as the emergency exits and elevator cables are destroyed.
9:12 a.m. - Flight 77 reports hijacking underway.
9:37 a.m. - Five hijackers crash Flight 77 into the Pentagon killing everyone aboard and 125 military and civilian personnel.
9:58 a.m. - Flight 93 reports hijackers have taken over the plane. 37 calls go out from passengers aboard.
9:59 a.m. - South Tower collapses in ten seconds, killing more than 800 civilians and first responders inside the building and around the area as a result of the attack.
10:03 a.m. - Four hijackers crash Flight 93 into a field in Pennsylvania after crew and passengers storm the cockpit, perishing everyone aboard.
10:28 a.m. - The North Tower collapses killing more than 1,600 civilians and first responders inside the building and around the area as a result of the attack.
Following the attacks, rigorous recovery efforts take place to locate any survivors and those missing among the debris in Ground Zero, as well as recovery efforts at the Pentagon and Flight 93 crash site. Sincere gratitude to those who help aid in search and recovery efforts, including the four-legged heroes, who have their own memorial at the 9/11 Museum and you can read more about here.
Media
Here are a few videos that depict what happened that fateful day. There are numerous documentaries available to the public from different points of view including civilians, survivors, first responders, and families of the fallen.
Warning: There is sensitive and graphic images in the videos below.
9/11 Documentary focusing on the moments in Manhattan as the attacks took place. Videos from witnesses, News Organizations and victim's family members.
Video focusing on the moments at the Pentagon after the attack from civilians and workers at the scene that day.
Memorials You Can Attend
- The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Manhattan, New York will re-open on the 19th anniversary for families and friends of those affected by 9/11. The annual ceremony will not be available to the public this year, but the public is able to watch the ceremony via livestream here starting at 8:30 a.m. The museum will officially open back up to the public on September 12th.
- The Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania will be held virtually on September 11th at 9:45 a.m. here.
Resources Available
If you and/or your loved ones are affected by this tragedy, here are some resources that may be able to help you.
- 9/11 Health - Developed by the New York City Health Department following the attacks, this website is dedicated to helping those who may have health problems related to 9/11 including rescuers, recovery workers, residents, children, city employees and others.
- Sky Help - Providing assistance and on-going services for those who have suffered severe stress or trauma.
- Voices of September 11th - Provides services for 9/11 families, survivors and rescuers living in the U.S. and abroad.
- World Trade Center Health Program - Aids those who helped in recovery, rescue and clean up efforts and survivors for those in the area during the attacks.
- The World Trade Center Survivors Network - The only organization created to serve all of those directly affected by 9/11.