The Evolution of the World Trade Center From the 1970's and BeyondREUTERS/Andrew Burton/POOL
September 11, 2001, is a day we will never forget. The United States and the world watched in horror as terrorist attacks resulted in the loss of almost 3,000 people after al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four passenger planes to
be flown into buildings in suicide attacks. Two of those planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175,
were crashed into the North and South towers, respectively, of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. Within two hours, both towers collapsed with debris and the resulting fires caused the partial or complete collapse of all other buildings in the complex.
A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon, leading to a partial collapse in its western side. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93,
was targeted at Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after its passengers tried to overcome the hijackers. Almost 3,000 people died in the attacks, including the 227 civilians and 19 hijackers aboard the four planes. It also was the deadliest incident for firefighters and for law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 343 and 72 killed
respectively.
Here are some iconic images that will forever remain in our memory and will encourage us to keep fighting for a better America: united,
free, and more beautiful.
The second tower of the World Trade Center bursts into flames after being hit by a hijacked airplane in New York September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Sara K. Schwittek
Then President George W. Bush listens as White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card informs him of a second plane hitting the World Trade Center while Bush was conducting a reading seminar at the Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Win McNamee
People look out of the burning North tower of the World Trade Center in New York City September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Jeff Christensen
Pedestrians react to the World Trade Center collapse September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Stringer
The remaining tower of New York's World Trade Center, Tower 2, dissolves in a cloud of dust and debris about a half hour after the first twin tower collapsed September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine
Rescue workers carry mortally injured New York City Fire Department chaplain, the Rev. Mychal Judge, from the wreckage of the World Trade Center in New York City September 11, 2001. The Chaplain was crushed to death by falling debris while giving a man last rites in the trade center. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
The two towers of the World Trade Center in New York City burn September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Jeff Christensen
A rescue helicopter surveys damage to the Pentagon as firefighters battle flames after a hijacked airplane crashed into the U.S. military headquarters outside of Washington, September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Larry Downing
A group of firefighters walk amid rubble near the base of the destroyed south tower of the World Trade Center in New York September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
The towers of New York's World Trade Center pour smoke shortly after being struck by hijacked commercial aircraft September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Brad Rickerby
A helicopter flies past The World Trade Center after a commercial plane slammed into it in New York City early, September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Jeff Christensen
The wreck of the World Trade Center smolders in the background as a man passes a subway stop near ther World Trade Center Towers after planes crashed into each of the buildings in New York on September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
An American flag flies near the base of the destroyed World Trade Center in New York, September 11, 2001, taken after the collapse of the towers. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
Workers at St. Vincent's Hospital wait for injured people from the World Trade Center towers after planes crashed into the buildings, in New York on September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
A firefighter walks amid rubble near the base of the destroyed World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
The damaged area of the Pentagon building, where a commercial jetliner slammed into it September 11, is seen in the early morning at sunrise with the U.S. Capitol Building in the background, September 16, 2001. REUTERS/Larry Downing
A New York City fireman calls for more rescue workers to make their way into the rubble of the World Trade Center September 15, 2001. REUTERS/U.S. Navy Photo by Journalist 1st Class Preston Keres
Firemen work near the wreckage of the World Trade Center after planes crashed into each of the buildings in New York on September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
Then President Bush is shown with retired firefighter Bob Beckwith (R) at the scene of the World Trade Center disaster on September 14, 2001. REUTERS/Win McNamee
A lone police officer sits away from where family members of the victims of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center were gathering at the base of the "Ground Zero," September 11, 2002.REUTERS/Mike Segar
Courtney Ball, 19, of Sommerville, New Jersey, cries at the Flight 93 Temporary Memorial just outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, September 11, 2005.REUTERS/Jason Cohn
Pedestrians and police run as a tower of the World Trade Center collapses, after two planes crashed into the complex destroying New York's mighty twin towers September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Reuters TV
A man grieves outside the World Trade Center site in New York September 11, 2006. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
A picture of a person who died in the September 11th attacks at the World Trade Center are seen on a fence at the site in New York, May 3, 2011 after U.S. forces killed al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
Cars smolder in the street as the destroyed World Trade Center burns in New York on September 11, 2001. REUTERS/Peter Morgan
