IN PHOTOS: Terror in America, 15 years ago

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

IN PHOTOS: Terror in America, 15 years ago

AFP

Over 3,000 people died in the terror attacks in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania – a major turning point in recent history

MANILA, Philippines — On September 11, 2001, two hijacked airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center twin towers in New York, while one hijacked plane later crashed at the Pentagon office building in Washington, DC. Another plane crashed 80 miles outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The 9/11 attacks were carried out by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda, masterminded by Osama bin Laden. Over 3,000 people were killed in New York City and Washington DC, including more than 400 police officers and firefighters.

In a televised address from the Oval Office, US President George W. Bush declared: “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”

Here are photos from that fateful day in America, 15 years ago.

Top photo: A hijacked commercial plane crashes into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 in New York. Photo by Seth McAllister/AFP  

Pedestrians walk across the Brooklyn Bridge away from the burning World Trade towers before their collapse, September 11, 2001. Photo by Henny Ray Abrams  


Pedestrians run from the scene as one of the World Trade Center Towers collapses, September 11, 2001. Photo by Doug Kanter/AFP  


An American flag flies in the foreground as one of the World Trade Center towers burns in the background on September 11, 2001. Photo by Doug Kanter/AFP


A Pentagon official stands across the Pentagon from which smoke is billowing following an airplane crash on September 11, 2001. Photo by Oliver Douliery/AFP   


A National Transportation Safety Board worker walks by an FBI trailer at the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, September 11, 2001. Photo by David Maxwell/AFP  


Newspapers and magazines from all over the USA printed “Extra” editions on September 11, 2001 after the terror attacks. Photo by AFP   


Rescue workers evacuate a man through rubble and debris after the collapse of one of the World Trade Center Towers, September 11, 2001. Photo by Stan Honda/AFP  


Firemen make their way through rubble and debris of one of the World Trade Center Towers, September 11, 2001. Photo by Stan Honda/AFP   


Security personnel take up positions beneath the national flag at half mast atop the White House following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, September 11, 2001. Photo by Robyn Beck/AFP  


An arrival board at the Los Angeles Airport on September 11, 2001 displays canceled flights around the nation. US civilian airline flights were grounded until at least noon of September 12, 2001. Photo by Gerard Buckhart/AFP  


US President George W. Bush steps through the curtain, led by his Chief of Staff Andrew Card, to address the nation in Sarasota, Florida on September 11, 2001. Photo Paul J. Richards/AFP  


Air Force One is surrounded by armed guards at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, Louisiana on September 11, 2001 after leaving Sarasota, Florida. Photo by Paul J. Richards/AFP  


US Vice President Dick Cheney (right) speaks by phone to US President George W. Bush from the operations center at the White House in Washington DC on September 11, 2001, as the White House begins to deal with the day’s terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. Presidential Counselor Karen Hughes is at left and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice center, seated. Photo by David Bohrer/The White House/AFP  


Liesl Farr of Provo, Utah, gives blood at the Hawaii Blood Center as she watches a live broadcast of the terrorist attacks. Photo by Mike Nelson/AFP

Liesl Farr of Provo, Utah, gives blood at the Hawaii Blood Center as she watches a live broadcast of the terrorist attacks, September 11, 2001. Photo by Mike Nelson/AFP  


A student breaks down and cries as she sings a song at a hastily called prayer service at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, in behalf of the victims of the terrorist attacks. Photo by George Frey/AFP  


Muslim American Laila Almarayati holds her young daughter, Jinan, as she listens to a press conference calling for Muslims not to be scapegoated, at the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles, California on September 11, 2001. Photo by Lucy Nicholson/AFP  


Rubble of the World Trade Center smouldering following the collapse of the towers, September 11, 2001. Photo by Alexandre Fuchs/AFP  


The “Tribute in Light” memorial consisting of two shafts of light to represent the World Trade Center Twin Towers is lit on March 11, 2002, 6 months after the terror attack destroyed the towers. Photo by Stan Honda/AFP  

Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!