All the important information about what happened on 9/11

On September 11, 2001, the world was rocked by a series of devastating events that became known as 9/11 and changed the face of modern history forever. On that fateful day, the United States of America fell victim to coordinated terrorist attacks that targeted the symbolism of the country's power and pride. These unprecedented attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., resulted in unprecedented tragedy and unleashed a wave of consequences that continue to shape the world today.

The morning of September 11 began like any other day in New York City. People streamed to work as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center rose majestically into the sky. But at 8:46 a.m. local time, American Airlines Flight 11 broke through the clear September sky and drilled into the North Tower of the World Trade Center with brutal force. The world watched in shock as smoke and flames shot out of the building and the horrific realism of the situation became clear.

As people tried to grasp the magnitude of the tragedy and rescue teams hurriedly gathered, the next devastating attack occurred at 9:03 am. United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center. The horrific images of burning towers, shattered glass and desperate people jumping out of windows to escape the heat were indelibly imprinted on the collective memory.

While the world held its breath wondering who could be responsible for these heinous acts, an even darker chapter was emerging. At 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 breached the facade of the Pentagon, the symbol of American defense. The country's security measures seemed tragically overcome, and the heart of American power was wounded.

But the terrorist attacks were not over. At 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Courageous passengers had learned of the events at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and decided to resist. Although the plane crashed and all on board lost their lives, they prevented the terrorists' target from being reached: possibly the Capitol or the White House in Washington, D.C.

The impact of 9/11 was devastating. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives, including innocent office workers, rescue workers and passengers. The attacks had not only a human but also a global dimension. They led to far-reaching political, legal and social changes. The United States launched a war on terrorism and international extremism that had a lasting impact on the global security situation. The war in Afghanistan was launched in direct response to the 9/11 attacks, as the country was then serving as a retreat and base of operations for the extremist group Al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden.

The United States pursued a policy of "preventive self-defense" and also launched the Iraq War in 2003, a move that was controversial because there was no direct link between Saddam Hussein's regime and the 9/11 attacks, but the administration argued that Iraq posed a threat to regional stability and international terrorism.

In addition, increased security measures were put in place around the world to prevent future attacks. Airport security was drastically tightened, travel regulations were revised, and international intelligence and security cooperation was increased. The term "war on terror" was coined and became a leitmotif in politics and security discourse.

The attacks of 9/11 also had a far-reaching impact on society and public perception. Confidence in security and stability was shaken, and people felt more vulnerable than ever before. A climate of fear and mistrust emerged, often accompanied by a wave of anti-Muslim racism and discrimination.

At the same time, the events of 9/11 also led to a wave of solidarity and cohesion. The international community stood by the United States in its hour of need and unanimously condemned the terrorist acts. September 11 became a symbol of the fight against terrorism and a reminder of the need to work together to create a safer world.

The events of 9/11 permanently altered the geopolitical balance and paved the way for a new era in international relations. They have placed the importance of counterterrorism and global security at the center of the political agenda. The impact of these tragic events is still being felt and will continue to shape the world for a long time to come. 9/11 remains a painful reminder of the vulnerability of modern society, but also of the determination to stand up against terrorism and strive for a more secure future.