Sept. 11, 2001.
On this day 19 years ago, almost 3,000 people were killed in the largest terrorist attack on American soil.
The attacks started at 8:46 a.m. when hijackers aboard American Airlines Flight 11 crashed the plane into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, killing everyone on board and hundreds inside the building. Just 17 minutes later, hijackers crash United Airlines Flight 175 into the World Trade Center’s South Tower, killing all on board and more inside the trade center.
Thousands more died when both towers crashed down less than an hour after being attacked.
The 9/11 attacks weren’t limited to New York. Flight 77 crashed into the western fa\u00e7ade of the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m., killing 50 people on board and 125 inside the Washington, D.C. home of the Department of Defense. A fourth plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field, killing all on board as passengers and crew attempted to wrest control from the hijackers.
Among the fatalities that day were 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers and 55 military personnel.
Today is officially called “Patriot Day,” a national day of service and remembrance that commemorates the catastrophic events of Sept. 11, 2001..
Here is a look at quotes, inspirations, more to remember Sept. 11 terrorist attacks:
“The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom.” —Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani
“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.” — Former President Barack Obama
“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” —Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl
“You can be sure that the American spirit will prevail over this tragedy.” —Colin Powell
“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.” – Author David Levithan
“I still have the shoes I wore to work that day. The soles are melted and they’re caked in ash. I keep them in a shoebox with the word “deliverance” written all around it. They’re kind of like my ark, a reminder of God’s presence and the life I owe to him.” – – Stanley Praimnath, 9/11 survivor
“September 11, 2001 seems destined to be the watershed event of our lives and the greatest test for our democracy in our lifetimes.” – Lt. Col. Shelton F. Leskford, U.S. Marine Corps
“This mass terrorism is the new evil in our world today. It is perpetrated by fanatics who are utterly indifferent to the sanctity of human life, and we, the democracies of this world, are going to have to come together and fight it together.” – Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Sept. 11
. “We will win this struggle — not for glory, nor wealth, nor power, but for justice, for freedom, and for peace…so help us God.” — Former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin
“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.” —Former President George W. Bush
“What we learned on September 11 is that the unthinkable is now thinkable in the world.” — John Ashcroft
“With almost no time to decide, [your loved ones] gave the entire country an incalculable gift. They saved the Capitol from attack. They saved God knows how many lives. They saved the terrorists from claiming the symbolic victory of smashing the center of American government. … They allowed us to survive as a country that could fight terror and still maintain liberty and still welcome people from all over the world from every religion and race and culture as long as they shared our values, because ordinary people given no time at all to decide did the right thing.” – Former President Bill Clinton
“These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.” – Former President George W. Bush on Sept. 11, 2001.
“When Americans lend a hand to one another, nothing is impossible. We’re not about what happened on 9/11. We’re about what happened on 9/12.” – – Jeff Parness, founder of New York Says Thank You
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