September 11, 2001
Why We Never Forget
What to Always Remember
What To Know:
America’s War On Terror
“Jules, this is Brian—listen, I’m on an airplane that’s been hijacked. If things don’t go well, and it’s not looking good, I just want you to know I absolutely love you, I want you to do good, go have good times, same to my parents and everybody, and I just totally love you, and I’ll see you when you get there. Bye, babe. I hope I call you.”
1 Hour & 17 Minutes
8:46 a.m.: American Flight 11 crashes into WTC’s North Tower
9:03 a.m.: United Flight 175 crashes into WTC’s South Tower
9:37 a.m.: American Flight 77 crashes into Pentagon
10:03 a.m.: United Flight 93 crashes near Shanksville, PA
THE VICTIMS
Nearly 3,000 people died on Sept. 11
- 2,753 in New York (including 343 firefighters & 23 police)
- 184 at the Pentagon
- 40 aboard Flight 93
Approximately 500 police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics have since died from 9/11 related illnesses in NYC alone.
THE TERRORISTS
- 15 of 19 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. Others from Egypt, UAE (2), Lebanon (1) and Egypt (1).
- 9/11 mastermind & al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. in 2011.
- Trial for five men accused of helping plot the attacks, incl. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, is set for January 2021. They were captured in Pakistan & are held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
THE AFTERMATH
- October 7, 2001: Pres. Bush announced attacks on al-Qaida and Taliban in Afghanistan by the U.S. with allies
- 2003: U.S. & allies invaded Iraq.
- Since 9/11, more than 2.7M U.S. service members have fought in the “War on Terror.” More than 5,400 killed in action, nearly half in Afghanistan. Tens of thousands injured.
- The post 9/11 wars estimated to have cost American taxpayers $6.7T.
THE LATEST
- February: US & Taliban signed an “agreement for bringing peace” that *could* lead to the full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
- Sept. 10: Pres. Trump: “a lot of progress” in Afghanistan, referencing no U.S. deaths since early Feb. (4 U.S. soldiers killed in action *so far* this year). Pres. Trump spoke about lower troop levels in Afghanistan, and said the U.S. military is “pretty much out” of Iraq & Syria.
“The start of these talks marks a historic opportunity for Afghanistan to bring an end to four decades of war and bloodshed… Immense sacrifice and investment by the United States, our partners, and the people of Afghanistan have made this moment of hope possible.”
Wreaths Across America is encouraging Americans to wave a flag for one minute at four significant times on the 19th anniversary of Sept. 11 following a tradition started by 3 American women in Maine. It's an incredible story ~ Learn more on our source page.
Sources
An interactive timeline of events (including phone calls and first hand accounts of September 11th) from 9/11 Memorial Museum
Wreath’s Across America’s National Call to Wave Flags on 9/11 Anniversary
Access the 9/11 Memorial & Museum EXHIBITIONS and VIRTUAL TOURS
Afghanistan casualty report by New York Times detailing Taliban continued attacks in 2020: CLICK HERE