What happened on September 11?

On September 11, 2001, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out by the Islamist extremist group al-Qaeda against the United States. On that morning, four commercial airplanes were hijacked by 19 terrorists. Two of the 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 New York City, causing both towers to collapse within hours. A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was targeted at a government building in Washington, D.C., most likely the Capitol or the White House, but passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft, and it ultimately crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and caused worldwide horror and outrage.

The September 11 attacks had profound and long-lasting effects on the United States and the world. In response to the attacks, the U.S. led an international campaign called the "War on Terror," which included the invasion of Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and to remove the Taliban from power. The U.S. also later invaded Iraq in 2003, further intensifying military operations in the region. Domestically, the attacks led to significant changes in U.S. policies, including the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act which expanded law enforcement's surveillance and investigative powers, and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate efforts against terrorism. The attacks also brought about changes in building codes, insurance, and emergency management protocols, along with increased security measures across airports and other vulnerable facilities worldwide. Moreover, the event has become a pivotal point in modern history, continuing to influence global politics, international relations, and public perceptions of safety and security.