The Impacts Of 9/11

By: Reagan Kyle

Editor: Breanna Naysmith

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September 11, 2001, is one of the most memorable days in our country’s history. On that day, four airplanes were hijacked by terrorists, and each plane turned back towards its target. The first plane’s target was the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The plane hit at 8:46 am. Seventeen minutes later, the World Trade Center South Tower was hit by the second plane. The third flight crashed into the West side of the Pentagon at 9:37 am. The fourth and final plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 am. Investigators determined that the fourth plane target was either the White House or the U.S. Capitol.

I reached out to a previous teacher of mine to ask some questions about 9/11 because he was in New York City at the time of the terrorist attacks. I asked if he noticed any changes after 9/11 and his response was “Being in New York you were reminded daily for months and years after about that day. Security was much tighter, especially in airports and at tourist attractions. People seemed to be more vigilant about what was going on around them. But there also was a sense of togetherness. There was sadness and grief for the loss of so many people’s loved ones but also this desire to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and fight back. We were much more of a united country then.” I also asked if 9/11 had an impact on his life and he stated, “ Today I am a U.S. history teacher, I try to teach my students every year about what happened. Today’s students were born after 9/11. They know what it is but dont know the details. It’s my job to teach them of the tragedy of that day and the memories of those who perished are not forgotten.” It’s important that kids these days are getting to know about 9/11, to know what actually happened, and learn more about the lives that were lost.”