September 11 attacks

Osama bin Laden portrait

Khalid Shaikh Mohammed after capture

FEMA WTC impacts graphic

World Trade Center debris impact areas

The September 11 attacks (often referred to as 9/11) were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group Al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks resulted in 2,977 victim fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and substantial long-term health consequences, in addition to at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. 9/11 is the single deadliest terrorist attack in human history and the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 343 and 72 killed, respectively.

Background

The attacks were the culmination of a long-standing conflict between the United States and Al-Qaeda, a militant Islamic group led by Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden cited the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia, US support of Israel, and sanctions against Iraq as his main reasons for attacking the United States.

Attacks

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two of the planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the North and South towers, respectively, of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both towers to collapse within hours. A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was initially directed toward Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers.

Aftermath

The immediate aftermath of the attacks saw a significant effort to rescue survivors, recover bodies, and clean up the debris. The site of the World Trade Center attacks was subsequently referred to as "Ground Zero." The United States responded to the attacks by launching the War on Terror, which included the war in Afghanistan to dismantle Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power.

The attacks also had a profound impact on the United States' domestic and foreign policy. The USA PATRIOT Act was passed, airport security was significantly tightened, and the Department of Homeland Security was created to coordinate domestic security efforts. Internationally, the attacks reshaped global politics, with many countries stepping up their efforts to combat terrorism.

Legacy

The September 11 attacks have left a lasting legacy on the United States and the world. Memorials have been built to honor the victims, including the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site and the Pentagon Memorial. The day is also observed as Patriot Day in the United States, with flags flown at half-staff and moments of silence observed.

Controversies

Several controversies have emerged in the aftermath of the attacks, including debates over the privacy implications of the USA PATRIOT Act, the justification for the War on Terror, and various conspiracy theories regarding the attacks themselves.

See also

• War on Terror
• Al-Qaeda
• Osama bin Laden
• World Trade Center
• Pentagon
• Flight 93 National Memorial

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