September 11 attacks
Background
The September 11 attacks were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks resulted in 2,977 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and substantial long-term health consequences, in addition to at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage.
Planning of the Attacks
The planning for the September 11 attacks was an extensive operation that involved numerous individuals, primarily associated with al-Qaeda. The operation was conceived by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who presented the idea to Osama bin Laden in 1996. Over the next few years, al-Qaeda recruited 19 individuals to carry out the attacks, with Mohammed Atta appointed as the leader of the hijackers.
Execution of the Attacks
On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists associated with al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airliners. Two of these planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan. Within an hour and 42 minutes, both 110-story towers collapsed.
The third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon (the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense) in Arlington County, Virginia, leading to a partial collapse of the building's west side. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was initially flown toward Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after its passengers thwarted the hijackers.
Aftermath
The aftermath of the September 11 attacks saw immediate responses, both domestically and internationally. The attacks led to the launch of the Global War on Terrorism and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan to depose the Taliban, who had harbored al-Qaeda terrorists. The U.S. also enacted the USA PATRIOT Act and established the Department of Homeland Security to improve the country's ability to respond to and prevent future terrorist attacks.
Impact
The September 11 attacks had significant effects on the United States and the world. In addition to the immediate loss of life and destruction of property, the attacks led to profound changes in U.S. foreign and domestic policy, a shift in global geopolitics, and a new focus on homeland security in the U.S. The attacks also had a major impact on the U.S. economy, with significant job losses and the closure of the New York Stock Exchange for several days.
Legacy
The legacy of the September 11 attacks continues to be felt today. The attacks led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, changes in U.S. immigration policies, and an ongoing focus on counterterrorism efforts worldwide. The attacks also led to the creation of the 9/11 Commission to examine the circumstances surrounding the attacks and to provide recommendations for preventing future terrorist attacks.