#NeverForget911: Netizens worldwide remember September 11 attacks

MANILA, Philippines – A decade and 4 years ago, a tragedy of indescribable enormity struck the heart of the world’s only superpower.

On September 11, 2001, the whole world was devastated when the World Trade Center Twin Towers collapsed after being hit by hijacked airliners. The Pentagon and a field in Pennyslvania were also hit.

Almost 3,000 people died in the terrorist attack by al-Qaeda militants. The 9/11 attacks are considered as the deadliest on US soil in the country’s history. (READ: Obama leads US in moment of silence on 9/11)

A rainbow over the One World Trade Center on the eve of the 14th anniv of 9/11. (EPA/Andrew Gombert) #NeverForget911 pic.twitter.com/CMfrobELlp

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 11, 2015

On the 14th anniversary of the tragedy that shook the world, netizens worldwide shared their thoughts and feelings on social media. Shortly, #NeverForget911 and #September11 trended worldwide, including in the United States and the Philippines.

Here’s an overview of #NeverForget911 tweets from all over the world from 8 PM to 10:30PM (Manila time) of September 11, as seen through Rappler’s data analytics, Reach Social.

For the duration of the conversation, the hashtag garnered over 755 million impressions worldwide. (Impressions are the estimate number of people who have seen the hashtag on their Twitter feed.)

These impressions are based on 221,634 tweets collected (exclusive of retweets) from 177,843 unique Twitter users.

Below is a map of the global conversation filtered based on users’ influence scores to show the communities of more influential accounts. Most of these accounts are either news organizations, celebrities, or prominent Twitter users posting and tweeting about the 9/11 anniversary.

 

Fourteen years later, the memories linger. What has changed in the world since then? Did 9/11 affect how ethnic minorities are treated? In the context of the 2016 Philippine presidential elections, should our next president have a stronger platform against terrorism?

Here are some of the responses we received from our followers:

Where were you when you found out about 9/11? Tweet us using #NeverForget911. Photo: EPA PHOTO POOL pic.twitter.com/8nmNpk4g0G

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 11, 2015

#NeverForget911

14 years ago, the world witnessed one of it darkest days. What has changed since then? #NeverForget911 | EPA Photo pic.twitter.com/sTb2ednG26

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom 9/11 did not only changed airport security but our views towards Muslims, the Middle East & terrorism. #NeverForget911

— Belgrade Liberace (@lovebelgrade) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom People have become vigilant in terms of looking out each other.

— CJ Maglunog (@scarhitinjoy) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom It shattered our false sense of security.

— Manny del Rosario (@mannydr) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom Struggle for security is real. Debates on security vs freedom have been endless since 9/11. #NeverForget911

— A (@laceysong) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom We’ve never been secure. Freedom was never been ours. We have always been contrld by the system.This is our infinte struggle.

— /CLVL (@_stephenomenal) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom @IronLungShogun No such thing as absolute freedom, freedom could mean the freedom that Al Qaeda had to carry out the attacks.

— Alpheus (@honpolitburrito) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom Instead of hating war, the US government embraced war all the more #NeverForget911

— Floyd Castro (@floydbc) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom Terrorism has increased and Muslims have expanded their influence in nations where they reside or settle.

— Sergio Gonzalez (@sergio45caliber) September 11, 2015

How do you think 9/11 affected the way we treat minorities?

Muslims have been subject to some quite unfair treatment by the law since 9/11 @rapplerdotcom

— Newt Reed (@imKryptonite) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom @imKryptonite it’s like that here in our country there is really a disparity among Muslims e.g, BBL #NeverForget911

— suigeneris_05 (@suigeneris_05) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom When Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, etc. crash planes into buildings & behead people, then we can talk about unfair.

— Sergio Gonzalez (@sergio45caliber) September 11, 2015

In line with our #TheLeaderIWant campaign for #PHVote, should the next PH president have a hard platform on terrorism? #NeverForget911

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 11, 2015

@rapplerdotcom Yes, #TheLeaderIWant should have a plan of action on that because we never know, we might be the next Syria. #PHVote

— Dominique Espinosa (@sheisdominique) September 11, 2015

How about you? Should the next Philippine president have a stronger platform  terrorism? Let us know in the comments section below! – Rappler.com