US 9/11 attacks: Key facts and everything you should know

The September 11 2001 terrorist attacks were one of the most devastating events in US history Coordinated by the extremist group alQaeda the attacks claimed thousands of lives and reshaped global security and politics Heres an overview of the essential facts about the US 911 attacks that everyone should knowThe Attacks A Coordinated PlotOn September 11 2001 19 terrorists affiliated with alQaeda hijacked four US commercial aeroplanes to use them as weapons against symbolic American landmarks Four planes were involvedAmerican Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City at 846 AMUnited Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 903 AMAmerican Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon at 937 AMUnited Airlines Flight 93 after passengers fought back against the hijackers crashed into a field in Shanksville Pennsylvania at 1003 AM preventing it from reaching its intended target believed to be either the White House or the US CapitolDeath Toll and CasualtiesThe US 911 attacks resulted in the deaths of 2977 people including passengers crew members first responders and civilians Thousands more were injured The fatalities occurred in New York Washington DC and PennsylvaniaWorld Trade Center 2753 people were killed in the collapse of the Twin TowersPentagon 184 people died in the attack on the PentagonFlight 93 40 passengers and crew members were killed when the plane crashedIn addition to the immediate death toll many first responders and residents near the World Trade Center have since suffered from illnesses related to toxic exposure at Ground ZeroWho Was ResponsibleThe US 911 attacks were orchestrated by the Islamist extremist group alQaeda led by Osama bin LadenThe hijackers were trained for months in how to pilot commercial jets and how to carry out their deadly mission They exploited weaknesses in airport security using box cutters and knives to take control of the planesImmediate AftermathThe immediate aftermath of the US 911 attacks was marked by widespread panic grief and uncertainty Both the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center collapsed within hours causing catastrophic damage and leaving Lower Manhattan covered in ash and debrisRescue and recovery efforts continued for weeks with thousands of first responders and volunteers searching for survivors The cleanup at Ground Zero lasted until May 2002 during which time New York City and the nation as a whole mourned those lostSecurity and Policy Changes911 led to a dramatic shift in US national security and foreign policy including the launch of the ldquoWar on Terrorrdquo and increased counterterrorism measuresCreation of the Department of Homeland Security DHS Established in 2002 the DHS was created to oversee national efforts to protect the US from terrorism streamline intelligence and improve disaster preparednessThe USA PATRIOT Act Enacted shortly after 911 the PATRIOT Act expanded the US governments surveillance and investigative powers allowing broader access to communication data financial records and foreign intelligenceAirport Security The attacks led to the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration TSA which implemented stringent airport screening procedures including banning certain items on planes and enhancing passenger and luggage checksThe Hunt for Osama bin LadenOsama bin Laden the mastermind of the US 911 attacks became the most wanted man in the world after the attacks After nearly a decade of intelligence gathering and military efforts US Navy SEALs located and killed bin Laden in a raid on his compound in Abbottabad Pakistan on May 2 2011 His death was considered a significant victory in the War on Terror though alQaeda and other extremist groups remain active globallyMemorials and RemembranceSeveral memorials have been established to honour the victims of the US 911 attacksNational September 11 Memorial amp Museum Located at the World Trade Center site in New York City the memorial features two large reflecting pools where the Twin Towers once stood surrounded by the names of those who died in the attacksPentagon Memorial An outdoor memorial in Arlington Virginia honours the 184 people who lost their lives in the Pentagon attackFlight 93 National Memorial This memorial in Shanksville Pennsylvania commemorates the heroism of the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93Each year on September 11 memorial services are held across the US to remember the victims honour the first responders and reflect on the profound impact of the US 911 attacksThe US 911 attacks not only changed the United States but reshaped global politics security policies and the fight against terrorism The memory of the nearly 3000 lives lost and the bravery of first responders survivors and everyday citizens continues to serve as a reminder of the resilience and unity that followed one of the darkest days in modern history