Module 3: 9/11

9/11

The September 11, 2001, terror attacks were a watershed moment in American history, orchestrated by the extremist group al-Qaeda and led by its founder, Osama bin Laden. On that day, 19 hijackers took control of four commercial airplanes, crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was headed for a target in Washington, D.C., but passengers fought back and ultimately crashed it in Pennsylvania. These coordinated attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and caused unprecedented destruction, leading to a profound sense of vulnerability and fear across the nation.

In the aftermath of the attacks, President George W. Bush declared a War on Terror, framing the response as a global fight against terrorism and those who harbor it. The U.S. government swiftly identified al-Qaeda as the perpetrator and vowed to dismantle the organization and bring Osama bin Laden to justice. This commitment led to military action in Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime was harboring bin Laden and his associates. The 9/11 attacks not only reshaped U.S. foreign policy but also sparked a nationwide reevaluation of national security, civil liberties, and America's role in the world, with long-lasting repercussions that continue to influence global relations and domestic policies today.