Black Tuesday – September 11, 2001: Attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) and the Pentagon

Tuesday, September 11th started off as an ordinary day and quickly descended into the beginning of terror. Shortly before 9 AM EST, a hijacked passenger plane struck New York City’s World Trade Center. Many believed it to be an accident until the horrifying realization took hold less than 20 minutes later when a second hijacked plane slammed into the towers. Two more hijacked planes also crashed, one into the Pentagon and another outside of Somerset, PA. By the end of the day, both WTC towers had collapsed and the Pentagon was still smoldering. Thousands are feared dead and a city remains devastated.

The nation has come together to mourn the loss of so many people and to show the rest of the world that we will not be intimidated by senseless acts of terrorism, regardless of their motivation. People have shown they are proud to be American by wearing red, white and blue clothing; lighting candles for the lives lost, and by wearing red, white and blue ribbons. American flags are sold out of almost every store across the nation. People are hanging them in front of their houses and putting them on their cars to show their pride and solidarity.

While it is encouraging to see people of all races and ethnic backgrounds come together and rise to the occasion in the wake of this awful tragedy, it is clear that the most trying times may still lie ahead. People have donated blood, food, money, clothing and their time. The resolve of this country has been challenged and the very principles on which this country was founded are now under attack by a faceless enemy. America's will is going to be tested as never before as it embarks on an international war against terrorism. And regardless of the outcome, the world will never quite be the same.