Posted on September 11, 2017
The morning of September 11, 2001 has become the tragedy for all Americans. There was a terrorist attack, as four airliners were hijacked by al-Qaeda members. Four suicide attacks were targeted at important objects in the USA. One of the four planes was targeted at Pentagon, another crashed in the field of Pennsylvania, while the two remaining airliners were aimed to attack Twin Towers in New York. After this event, the war broke down that brought changes to the whole society in the USA. If you are looking for a professional help with writing 9/11 essay, check out this sample or turn to our writers and editors. We will assign the best expert to assist you with your 9/11 essay or any other paper.
Being the workplace of thirty five thousand people, the Twin Towers were targeted by al-Qaeda members to carry out a terrorist attack. Each tower had one hundred and ten floors, and each weighed more than 250,000 tons. Twin Towers were located in the centerpiece of the World Trade Center. Taking into consideration the location and the daytime population, the towers became an obvious choice for an attack. Moreover, these towers were regarded as the embodiment of Americans’ power and influence. As a matter of fact, the World Trade Center had already been attacked in 1993. There was an explosion in a car parked beneath the Center.
The attack was made by the group of terrorists, the members of al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda is an Islam extremist terrorist system started by Osama bin Laden. Al-Qaeda aims to take control and force religiously-sanctioned social and political order in the places with Muslim representation. The attacks against Americans were made to reduce support in the USA for Middle-Eastern governments that do not follow al-Qaeda strong beliefs. Al-Qaeda believed that the USA support was a huge obstacle in promoting and building global order under Islam. What is more, a number of factors made al-Qaeda angry with the USA, such as America’s support of Israel, their part in the Persian Gulf War, and the US military forces that were present in Middle Eastern countries.
On September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked by the members of al-Qaeda. The planes were headed for California, therefore being fueled enough. There were nineteen terrorists who took over control and prepared their attacks. At 8:45 one of four planes crashed between the ninety third and ninety ninth floor in the North Tower. After the first attack hundreds of people were killed and hundred got trapped in the floors above. Evacuation began instantly, tragically though, eighteen minutes later another plane crashed into the South Tower between the seventy seventh and eighty fifth floors. After the second crash there was a huge explosion. The Twin Towers fell down and damaged five other buildings in the World Trade Center complex.
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Time of event |
Event description |
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8:46 AM |
Mohammed Atta and several other terrorists crash into the North Tower with American Airlines Flight 11. |
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9:03 AM |
The South Tower gets hit with United Airlines Flight 175. |
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9:37 AM |
Hijackers hit the Pentagon with American Airlines Flight 77. |
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9:59 AM |
The South Tower falls down. |
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10:07 AM |
Hijackers crash into Somerset County, PA with United Airlines Flight 93. |
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10:28 AM |
The North Tower falls down. |
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5:20 PM |
World Trade Center falls down after burning for hours. |
The two other planes that were not involved in the World Trade Center attack were targeted at the Pentagon and Washington DC. One of the two planes was headed for Los Angeles. After being hijacked, it crashed into the Western facade of the Pentagon. Another one was targeted at Washington DC. However, the passengers were able to change the target and steer the plane into a field of Pennsylvania, killing everyone on aboard.
The death toll was shattering and beyond catastrophic. Nearly three thousand people were killed, over twenty seven hundred killed in the World Trade Center attack, one hundred eighty four killed in the Pentagon attack, and forty people killed on Flight 93. In addition to that there was a number of deaths of firefighters, paramedics and police officers (three hundred and forty three firefighters and paramedics, twenty three police officers and thirty seven Port Authority police officers). That was a catastrophe for all Americans and the whole world.
On September 12, 2001, an emergency meeting of the United Nations was held. The terrorist attack was condemned as an attack on all humanity. It was the first time in the history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to invoke Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. This article states that ‘an attack on one or more NATO countries is an attack against all NATO countries’ (The US and Int’l Response to 9/11). After that the USA declared to be officially at war, as they invoked their right of self-defense during wartime.
In October 2001, the United States passed the USA Patriot Act. This law was regarded as a bit controversial, as many were concerned that it would lead to the infringement of civil rights and liberties. For instance, the act allows law enforcement officials to monitor financial transactions, or eavesdrop on phone conversations, or search property without warrant.
In October 7, 2001, the USA started an operation to overthrow Taliban’s hold in Afghanistan. The operation was aimed to destroy Osama bin Laden’s base there. The USA succeeded in ousting Taliban from power, but continued the war to defeat a Taliban rebellion campaign over Pakistan.
In 2005, it was revealed that in 2002 the National Security Agency had the authorization given by George W. Bush to wiretap domestic emails and phone calls without warrants.
The USA also established the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the national security of the country. After the events of 9/11, the whole society changed, as from that time on they needed to act together to prevent possible terrorist attacks. ‘If You See Something Say Something’ campaign was launched aiming to appeal to civilians to report suspicious behavior and activity. The security at airports was heightened, screening international passengers entering and leaving the USA.
To say that 9/11 attacks left an impact on the USA is to say nothing. The country went to war and the everyday life of Americans changed forever. After the attacks the USA sent troops to Afghanistan where the al-Qaeda had its base. In 2003, the USA troops were sent to Iraq that was an important weapon in the War on Terror (Green). In December 2011, Iraq was left in a state of volatile democracy and the American troops were pulled from it.
In 2014, President Obama made efforts to change the way America’s presence in Afghanistan was perceived. He aimed at it being perceived as a support mission, rather than a combat mission. In the history of the United States, the Afghanistan War has been the longest, lasting from 2001 to 2011. The war brought deaths to over six thousand troops, depression or post-traumatic disorder to more than 18% of returned servicemen, and traumatic brain injuries to 20% of returned officers.
After the 9/11 attacks there was a huge impact on immigration and deportation policy. Deportation for criminals and law-breakers doubled in the USA. Between the years of 2009 and 2010, almost four hundred thousand people were deported annually, half convicted of a criminal offense and the other half of low-level offenses. Under the Secure Communities program imposed in 2008, people could be deported for even being convicted of minor offenses such as not using a turn signal while driving.
The Transportation Security Administration was created after the 9/11 attacks. The security was heightened, as the TSA started to use new and more effective security practices. Before, passengers could spend thirty minutes and get on the plane. Now, people spend hours in line, as everything is checked: people, bags and items of clothing. The TSA scans, screens scrutinizes everything and everyone to guarantee safety. They also use a watch list of individuals believed to possibly pose a threat to safety and security.
The 9/11 attacks brought mourning, fear and depression to Americans and international citizens. The whole world felt that the attack made on the USA was the attack on freedom and liberties everywhere. That was an event that brought changes to the whole world. The effects of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks last until today. The 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero was opened ten years later after the tragedy to commemorate the events on September 11, 2001 and the World Trade Center bombing of 1993. Even though, Americans were left shattered and fearful, they had enough power to fight for their freedom and the United States has again proven that liberty will persevere no matter the circumstances.
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