On September 11, 2001, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out by 19 al-Qaeda hijackers who took control of four commercial airplanes in the United States. The attacks unfolded as follows:
- At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, instantly killing all aboard and trapping many in the building
- At 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, causing immediate fatalities and contributing to the towers' eventual collapse
- At 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, causing a partial collapse and killing 125 people in the building along with those on the plane
- United Airlines Flight 93, hijacked and believed to be targeting either the U.S. Capitol or the White House, crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at 10:03 a.m. after passengers attempted to retake control from the hijackers
The attacks resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, including civilians, first responders, and military personnel, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history
. Both World Trade Center towers collapsed within hours, along with other buildings in the complex. The event led to a nationwide shutdown of U.S. airspace and launched the U.S. global War on Terror
. In summary, 9/11 was a devastating terrorist attack involving the hijacking of four planes, two of which struck the Twin Towers, one hit the Pentagon, and one crashed in Pennsylvania after passenger resistance, causing massive loss of life and profound national and global impact
