A day that rocked the nation at its foundation. A day that left the whole country in shock. A day that threatened everyone's way of life. A day where our life, liberty, and freedom was attacked. September 11, 2001. A day that will live on in all the hearts that witnessed that tragedy.
It was a normal September Tuesday in New York. Adults went to work. Kids went to school. Families bid their loved ones farewell till they see them later that night. The day was moving along like any other. Except, a plan made by a madman was about to be complete. It began with the hijacking of the planes American Airlines Flight 11, United Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93. From there, our way of life was challenged. No one knew what had happened after the first tower was hit. Everyone was in shock and couldn't believe what had just occurred. The north tower of the World Trade Center was hit. But why? No one knew. It wasn't evident that the crash was planned until the south tower was hit. At that point, everyone knew it couldn't be an accident. Fire and black smoke came from high up on the towers. People frantically tried to escape the burning building. But, many couldn't. They were trapped on the higher floors with no means escape. Firefighters raced to each floor of the buildings to try and save as many as they could. Police started an evacuation of Manhattan. People watched and listened, from up close, from TV, and from the radio as the events unfolded. They watched in horror as people threw themselves from the tops floors to try and escape the ever intruding flames. But no one expected what came next.
At 9:59am, the south tower fell, leaving everyone in horror. At 10:28am, not an hour after going hit by the plane, the north tower collapsed, killing all who remained trapped inside, dashing any hope of their survival. The towers that believed could never fall, had just fallen
Seventy-one law enforcement officers; 2,192 civilians; 343 firefighters; 2,763 innocent lives lost in the towers of that day. On the airplanes that struck the towers, the pentagon, and the field in Pennsylvania, 147 civilians, and 10 hijackers.
Boats and ferries towed the citizens of Manhattan to safety, and the thick black smoke spread across the city. Everyone was in shock. Horrified at the events of that day. People helped each other even with the smallest things. A sense of humanity was shown as everyone bound together in the time of need.
But now, 15 years have passed. A new generation has begun. Events that many people lived through now will be taught to ninth graders as past events as the last generation of high school kids move on. Soon, the schools won't tell the event that many loved through. They will tell it as something that happened in our nations past. But those who still remember that day, will always know the significance of the attack. Our homes. Our families. Our lives. Threatened by those who didn't share the same views. America stands for its freedom, and that day hasn't changed. We still stand for our freedom now and we will continue to through the future, no matter what. The heroes and civilians who lost their lives that day will always be remembered. We will never forget that fateful day that our freedom was tested.
And Still We Stand Strong.
