9/11, sixteen years later

It was a day no one would forget. On September 11, 2001, the world watched in horror, as two planes went into the World Trade Center in New York City, as well as another attack in the capital and a heroic one in Pennsylvania.

At 8:45 A.M. a plane crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. For many, it came as an initial shock and sadness, thinking “what happened to the pilot?”. 911 calls were made, and several just wondered if a malfunction was to blame or the pilot lost control. Curiosity started to occur as people looked up at the skyscrapers on that sunny blue Tuesday morning. 18 minutes later, curiosity turned into fear, and the world realized that this was no accident.

On September 11, 2001, the world stood still. At 9:03 A.M., when the second plane crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center, confusion turned into confirmation that this was no accident. What many thought was a tragic accident due to malfunction, it actually turned into confirmation that what was unfolding was a terrorist attack. The words “America is under attack” echoed throughout the world, and while the first plane hit, a wave of attacks were planned out for the day.

At 9:37 A.M., another attack happened, but this time in the capital, Washington D.C.. The hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon. While chaos erupted in New York City, along as Washington D.C., another attack was on it’s way. Another hijacked plane in the sky was headed towards the Capital in DC. The heroic passengers abroad the flight, however, heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and decided to act in order to land the plane and avoid another attack. Unsuccessful at landing the plane, but successful in avoiding another attack, the passengers and flight attendants of Flight 93 were hailed as heroes. Unfortunately, at 10:03 A.M., the plane crashed into a field, due to fighting among the passengers and hijackers, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

These events shocked the world. 16 years later, they are a crucial reminder of the importance of combating global terrorism. The words of former President George W Bush are still replayed to this day. More than 3,000 people died on September 11th. A few more died throughout the years due to respiratory illnesses and exposure to chemicals and such from helping out victims of the attack. 9/11 was among the deadliest terrorist attack in US history since Pearl Harbor.

On Monday, US commemorates 16 years since the harrowing events of 9/11 unfolded. Many will go about their day, and pause for a moment of reflection while others will be grieving their loved ones. It is now known as “Patriots Day” in the United States, and is observed as the national day of service and remembrance, with moments of silence, and events are held throughout the day.

The three memorials built on the sites of the attacks will be hold their annual memorials for the victims. In Shanksville, the Flight 93 memorial will be honoring the 40 passengers and crew who died. At the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, located in Arlington Virginia, it will hold their memorial in honor of the 184 people who died. Like all the memorials, each victims names are engraved. Lastly, the world famous National September 11 memorial and museum, serves as the main memorial, with all the victims names engraved into two pools where the twin towers once stood. The memorial will hold moments of silence for each attack, as well as reading the names of the victims.