The Story of One of the Worst Attacks of the Early 2000s
August 10th, 2001, the last full day nearly 3,000 people lived to see. On the following morning, August 11th, 2001, four commercial planes were highjacked and used as missiles headed towards total destruction.
Here is the list of Flights that will be discussed:
United Flight 11
United Flight 175
American Airlines Flight 77
United Flight 93
United Flight 11
This flight took off from Boston, NJ and was headed to San Francisco, CA. However, at approximately 9:32 AM, it was declared from a broadcast that there was a bomb aboard and the plane had been highjacked. On top of the weaponry smuggled aboard, the plane was recently loaded with 20,000 G of jet fuel. This flight was carrying 100 people and crashed into the North-facing World Trade Center building.
United Flight 175
United Flight 175, from the same airport, approximately the same timing, was in the air and highjacked. This plane was a similar size plane and was also fueled. This plane was carrying 60 people and was the second to crash into the South-facing World Trade Center building.
American Airlines Flight 77
A tragic flight, departed from Washing D.C. headed west to Los Angeles, C.A. By approximately 8:45 AM the plane had been highjacked. This plane was carrying 66 people and crashed into the Pentagon.
United Flight 93
The last to go up, from Newark, NJ, headed west also toward CA. This plane was carrying 40 passengers and crashed in Shanksville, PA, just 18 flight minutes away from the target, The Capital.
The Tragedy
On August 11th, 2001, the first plane, United Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:42 AM. All passengers aboard lost their life as well as everyone on the 80th floor and the 30 more floors above. At first, it was believed to be an explosion and rescue was immediately sent to aid. However, less than 20 minutes later, United Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower at the 60th floor; everyone aboard lost their lives as well.
Shortly after learning of the crashes from the first two planes, the plane also headed for CA, Flight 93 makes a sharp U-turn and heads for the capital. As the passengers are learning about the events that took place and the situation they were in, members of the crew and even passengers banded together with an attempt to take back the plane. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful and the plane crashed into the Capitol in Washing D.C. at 9:40 AM. There were no survivors on board and took the lives of 125 others that were on the ground.
The third plane, Flight 77, departed with delays from Washington D.C. headed for CA. Shortly after takeoff, this plane was also highjacked and cut from outside communication. Without air traffic at a halt yet (happened at (9:42 AM), this plane was still en route to CA. However, over the intercom, mistakenly, the hijackers announced they took over the plane and their plan to land it with a bomb on-board. Within the hour, at 9:38 AM, the plane crashes into the pentagon taking the lives of all 66 passengers as well as 125 people on the ground.
While this was taking place, at 10:00 AM the South Tower crashes to the ground. In the cabin of Flight 93, the crew and passengers begin attempting to break into the cockpit and regain control of the plane. Many of the passengers were making calls for help and calls to loved ones to share their location and plan. Successfully, they were able to regain control of the plane and avoid crashing into The Capitol. Sadly, all 40 lives were lost.
The destruction between, the passengers, crew, World Trade Center, bystanders, military members, firefighters, police, and more took the lives of almost 3,000 people and injured nearly 3,000 more. Along with casualties, more than 10,000 victims that were exposed at the crash sites were at risk of cancer caused by the toxins and chemicals dispersed at "Ground Zero."
Today, we cherish the ones who fought bravely to save the ones trapped in the planes. Today, we sit in vigil for the innocent lives lost.
Today, we stand for the ones who continue to put their life on the line for our freedom and safety.
Today, we are humbled and reminded on the preciousness and fragilities of life; we are reminded that we are apart of something larger than ourselves.
Today, we remember the ones who have fallen, the ones who have fought, the ones who have won, and the ones who have lost in the sake of freedom and keeping our country safe.
22 years later, they may be gone, but never forgotten.
Sources Cited:
“9/11 Timeline - Videos, World Trade Center Attacks.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/topics/21st-century/9-11-timeline.
“Flight 93 National Memorial.” The Flight 93 Story | Friends of Flight 93 | 9/11 Memorial, www.flight93friends.org/flight-93-story.
“The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.” U.S. Department of Defense, www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/Pentagon-Memorial/.
“Timeline of the September 11 Attacks.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-the-september-11-attacks.
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