For many of you who don't know the tragic story of 9/11 ( Semptember 11, 2001 ), a group of Islamic extremists terrorists attacked the Unites States. They had hijacked four airplanes in mid-flight. The terrorists managed to fly two of the planes into two skyscrapers, known as the Twin Towers, as well as the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact caused the buildings to catch fire and collapse. Another plane destroyed part of the Pentagon (the U.S. military headquarters) in Arlington, Virginia as well. The fourth plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Officials believe that the terrorists on that plane intended to destroy either the White House or the U.S. Capitol. Brave passengers on the plane fought the terrorists and prevented them from reaching their goal an in all, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks.
Who attacked us and why? A total of 19 terrorists hijacked the four planes on 9/11. All of the men were from nations in the Middle East.
They belonged to a terrorist group called Al Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden who has also been helping coordinate and fund numerous bombings worldwide since the 1980s. Al Qaeda practiced an extreme version of the religion of Islam. The group is intensely opposed to the United States and other Western, democratic nations, as well as being against the military presence of these countries in Arab nations.
In October 2001, the U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan, where Al Qaeda was based, Then in 2003, U.S Armed forces invaded Iraq since President George W. Bush and other U.S. leaders believed that the country’s dictator, Saddam Hussein, was hiding terrible weapons that could be given to terrorists. Hussein was captured and later put to death by an Iraqi court. No weapons of mass destruction were found. The extreme Islamic group that ran Afghanistan's government, known as the Taliban, was protecting Bin Laden and allowing Al Qaeda to run training camps in the country. U.S.-led forces soon brought down the Taliban. They are are still working to help rebuild and stabilize the nation. Since 2001, many Al Qaeda members have been captured or killed. On May 1, 2011, U.S. troops killed Bin Laden where he was hiding in Pakistan.
As this events occured the U.S. government took many steps to try to make the country safer. It tightened security at airports and in public buildings. A new cabinet-level department—the Department of Homeland Security—was created. It works to protect the United States from terrorism. That day many lives where lost many parent's and children some yet to be born lost their loves ones. In memory of all those who saved our lived we are so grateful for them we carved their names on stone in front of the twin towers.