9/11, 24 Years Later: A Look Back at the Day That Changed the World Forever

NEW YORK, USA – Twenty-four years ago today, on a clear and sunny Tuesday morning, the world watched in horror as a series of coordinated terrorist attacks unfolded in the United States. The events of September 11, 2001, did not just claim thousands of lives; they shattered a sense of security, redrew the lines of global politics, and changed the world in ways that are still felt every single day.

Today, on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we look back at the timeline of what really happened on that tragic day. We remember the victims, honor the heroes, and explore the profound legacy of 9/11 that continues to shape our modern world.

The Timeline of Terror: A Minute-by-Minute Account

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists belonging to the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes with the intention of using them as guided missiles.

8:46 AM (New York City): The First Plane Hits American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767 traveling from Boston to Los Angeles, crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City. Initially, news reports were confused, with many assuming it was a terrible accident involving a small plane.

9:03 AM (New York City): The Second Impact Seventeen minutes later, the world realized this was no accident. United Airlines Flight 175, also from Boston to Los Angeles, was seen flying at high speed across the New York sky before banking sharply and crashing into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. The second impact was broadcast live on television, confirming to a horrified global audience that America was under attack.

9:37 AM (Arlington, Virginia): Attack on the Pentagon As the crisis unfolded in New York, American Airlines Flight 77, which had taken off from Washington D.C., crashed into the western side of the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense. A massive fire and a partial collapse of the building followed.

9:59 AM & 10:28 AM (New York City): The Twin Towers Collapse The intense fires from the jet fuel weakened the steel structures of the Twin Towers. At 9:59 AM, after burning for 56 minutes, the South Tower collapsed into a massive cloud of dust and debris. At 10:28 AM, the North Tower, which had been hit first, also collapsed. The iconic New York skyline was changed forever.

10:03 AM (Shanksville, Pennsylvania): The Heroes of Flight 93 The fourth hijacked plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was delayed on the tarmac in Newark, New Jersey. This delay gave passengers and crew time to make phone calls and learn about the other attacks. Realizing their plane was also part of the plot—likely aimed at the U.S. Capitol or the White House in Washington D.C.—a group of passengers and crew decided to fight back against the hijackers. Their struggle for control of the plane ended with it crashing into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Their heroic actions saved countless lives and prevented further destruction.

The Human Cost: Remembering the Victims and Heroes

The 9/11 attacks were the deadliest terrorist attacks in world history, claiming the lives of 2,977 people (excluding the 19 hijackers).

The victims included people from over 90 countries, working in the World Trade Center, serving at the Pentagon, and traveling on the four planes. The largest loss of life was among the first responders. A total of 343 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers who rushed into the burning towers to save others made the ultimate sacrifice when the buildings collapsed.

The Legacy of 9/11: A World Transformed

The impact of that day extends far beyond the lives lost. The attacks fundamentally reshaped the 21st century.

• The “War on Terror”: In response to the attacks, U.S. President George W. Bush declared a global “War on Terror.” This led to the invasion of Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and overthrow its Taliban hosts, and later, the war in Iraq.

• A New Era of Airport Security: The way we travel by air changed overnight. The creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the U.S. and similar bodies worldwide led to the stringent security measures we now consider normal: removing shoes and laptops, limits on liquids, and full-body scanners.

• Security vs. Liberty: In the name of national security, governments around the world passed new laws that increased surveillance capabilities. In the U.S., the controversial Patriot Act sparked a long-running debate about the balance between security and individual privacy.

• A Lasting Impact on Culture: The attacks left a deep scar on the global psyche, influencing everything from movies and books to public discourse on immigration and religion.

Conclusion: A Day of Remembrance and Reflection

Twenty-four years later, the world continues to grapple with the legacy of September 11. Memorials at Ground Zero in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville now stand as solemn places of remembrance.

For a new generation born after 2001, 9/11 is a historical event learned about in books. But for those who remember, it remains a vivid and painful memory. Today is a day to honor the victims, salute the incredible bravery of the first responders and the heroes of Flight 93, and reflect on the profound and lasting ways in which that single September morning changed our world forever.