On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four American planes, leading to a devastating attack that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
Two of the hijacked planes were crashed into the Twin Towers of New York City‘s World Trade Center, causing both towers to collapse.
A third plane struck the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., while the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after courageous passengers thwarted the terrorists’ plan to target another major landmark, likely the White House.
A piece of the twisted steel from the World Trade Center’s ruins is now displayed at IWM London, serving as a stark reminder of the day’s tragic events.
The attacks had a profound global impact, prompting President George W. Bush to declare a “War on Terror” on September 20, marking a significant shift in international policy and warfare.
Al-Qaeda, broad-based militant Islamist organization founded by Osama bin Laden in the late 1980s and became one of the world’s most notorious terrorist organizations after carrying out the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The U.S. swiftly launched an invasion of Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, targeting al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban regime that had supported them.
The Taliban’s fall in November 2001 led to the establishment of a new Afghan government and the formation of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which continued operations until 2014.
The repercussions of 9/11 extended beyond Afghanistan, influencing global politics and leading to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The Bush administration’s rationale—that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction—became a contentious issue as the U.S. and its allies took on the complex task of rebuilding a war-torn nation.
The 9/11 attacks were unprecedented in their direct assault on the American mainland and had far-reaching consequences worldwide.
More than 90 countries mourned the loss of their citizens, including 67 from the UK.
The legacy of September 11 continues to shape global politics and security measures, reflecting the enduring and evolving impact of that fateful day.
