by Flavie Boulanger, Staff Writer
Before Sept. 11, 2001, kids could run to the gate and hug their parents right before a flight, people felt safe walking on the street. The pilot was accessible to everyone, and no door was separating the passengers from the cockpit. War felt far away on the other side of the world. The skyline of New York would never be the same. A Tuesday morning that felt like any other boring day. No one knew that that day, life would change forever.
This year marked the twenty fourth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the twin towers.
Twenty four years ago, four American planes were taken over by Al-Qaeda terrorists. Two of the planes flew directly into the twin towers of the world trade center in New York which housed several companies and government organizations. One attacked the Pentagon in Washington D.C., which is the headquarters of the country’s department of defense. Finally, the last plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers intervened and diverted the plane away from the Liberty Bell. The twin towers eventually collapsed. Three thousand people died because of these attacks and one thousand people were seriously injured, including rescue workers such as firefighters and paramedics. All air services involving the United States were immediately suspended. The attacks were filmed and live on television all around the world.
Martin Beauregard, a resident from Canada remembers exactly what he was doing on that day.
“I was at work, and we only had one computer. Our colleague started shouting in the office, telling us to come and watch the towers collapse live. I went home for lunch afterwards and it was as if the world had stopped. No one went back to work, the streets were empty, everyone was listening attentively to the news.”
It was the first terrorist attack to be so visible and, above all, so spectacular. That explains why most people know exactly where they were and what they were doing. A country that everyone believed to be safe and invincible was attacked so easily. This event made people think deeply about how security could disappear overnight.
This historic terrorist attack had tragic consequences, many of which still affect people today. Politically and militarily, it justified the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan in 2001 to overthrow the Taliban, who supported Al-Qaeda. Two years later, in 2003, it also served as the United State’s justification for the war in Iraq saying it was to fight terrorism. In addition, the United States passed the Patriot Act in 2001, a law that expanded the powers of intelligence services, particularly through increased surveillance. These consequences occurred immediately after the attacks. However, several measures have been put in place that change the way we travel. First, airports have been completely transformed to include security technologies that have been perfected to maximize safety. For example, liquids are prohibited, bags are scanned, and everyone must remove their shoes and belts. Security agents are now also present in all airports. Border control is also more stringent in the collection of personal information. Finally, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have greatly increased Islamophobia. Discrimination and violence against Muslims have become much more present.
Another significant effect was the collective trauma that this caused. As the images were filmed and broadcast live, everyone felt directly involved. In the United States, this trauma is commemorated each year with ceremonies and moments of silence. To preserve the memory of the victims, several museums and memorials have been built, such as the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center. Rachel Nasshorn, a student from Long Island, explained how the memorial made her realize the magnitude of the event.
“When I went to the memorial, I was really surprised. The circle is so big, I imagined the building and tried to picture it in my head. I thought about all the people who could fit inside that circle, and that’s when I realized how serious it was.”
These places allow people to honor the victims, but also ensure that such a tragedy is never forgotten.
In conclusion, the September 11th attacks were not only a tragic day in American history, but also a turning point for the whole world. They changed politics, security, and society and it is still visible today. Remembering the event is important to honor the victims and prevent this nightmare from happening again.
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