Sunday, September 11, 2011
THEN September 11, 2001, people all over the world are shocked and captivated by the horrific images of hijacked commercial airliners slamming into the World Trade Center’s twin towers in synchronized attacks—the worst terrorist attack ever on America soil. Approximately 3,000 people from 90 different countries are killed. The attacks begin at 8:45 a.m. local time, when an American Airlines Boeing 767 crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City; 18 minutes later, a second plane slams into the south tower. At 9:45 a.m., a third plane crashes into the west side of the Pentagon in Arlington, VA and a fourth plane crashes into a field in rural western Pennsylvania at 10:10 a.m. after being commandeered by courageous passengers, killing everyone onboard. Al-Qaida is blamed for the attacks. Less than a month later, then U.S. President George W. Bush launches “Operation Enduring Freedom” – U.S.-led coalition effort to overthrow the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and destroy Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network based there. NOW Today, ceremonies are being held across the United States in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. In Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper declared September 11 a National Day of Service to commemorate the victims of U.S. terror attacks. In his statement, Harper recalled how the 10,000 people of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, opened their homes to thousands of air passengers who were diverted from their destinations after U.S. officials ordered a complete shutdown of U.S. airspace in the wake of the attacks. The prime minster said, “I hope that this National Day of Service, observed hereafter on Sept. 11, will inspire Canadians to once more show the same kind of compassion to strangers in need, by engaging on that day in charitable activities, fundraisers and community service for worthy causes across the country.”
