It was a Tuesday just like today. There was nothing extraordinary about it. It was a typical work day, a typical school day, a typical day…until it wasn’t.
On September 11, 2001 in the span of just over 1.5 hours 2,977 people were killed in the worst terrorist attack ever on U.S. soil.
People around the world watched in horror as the attack unfolded live on their television screens. The timeline of events was swift and steady:
8:46 a.m. – American Airlines Flight 11 crashes into floors 93-99 of the North Tower of the World Trade Center
9:03 a.m. – United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into floors 75-85 of the South Tower of the World Trade Center
9:37 am – American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the western side of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C
9:59 a.m. – The South World Trade Center Tower collapses
10:07 a.m. – Passengers and crew members aboard hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 attempt to retake the plane. In response, the hijackers deliberately crash the plane into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
10:28 a.m. – The North World Trade Center Tower collapses
September 11, 2001 marked the greatest single loss of rescue personnel in American history. Today, we pay tribute to them and to all of the victims who died on 9/11. We pray for the loved ones they left behind. Today, 17 years after that far from typical day, we renew our promise to Never Forget.
