In the most damaging terrorist attack ever launched at the United States, hijackers crashed passenger jets into the twin towers of the World Trade Center Sept. 11, destroying the famous New York landmark. The death toll is expected to be in the thousands.
A third hijacked plane crashed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., destroying part of the building and killing almost 200 people. A fourth plane crashed near Pittsburgh, and authorities say it may have been headed for the White House.
The attack also destroyed and damaged other major buildings near the World Trade Center. The Marriott World Trade Center hotel collapsed, as did a 45-story structure known as 7 World Trade Center. The World Financial Center across the street is heavily damaged.
Terrorists linked with fugitive Saudi multimillionaire Osama bin Laden are leading suspects in the attack. Bin Laden is known to operate out of Afghanistan, which is ruled by the Taliban, an extremist Muslim group.
Followers of bin Laden reportedly gave warning three weeks ago that they were planning a “huge and unprecedented attack” on American interests, according to a London-based Arab journalist. Abdel-Bari Atwan, editor of the Al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper, said he heard the warning from Islamic fundamentalists close to bin Laden but did not take the threat seriously. “We usually receive this kind of thing. At the time we did not take the warnings seriously as they had happened several times in the past and nothing happened. This time it seems his people were accurate and meant every word they said.”
Responding on the day of the tragedy, President George W. Bush said, “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. … Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.”
Bush continued, “America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.”
Bush suggested that religious faith could be a source of strength during this time, saying, “Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened.”
In a statement widely interpreted as a promise of military action against rogue nations such as Afghanistan, Bush said, “We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.” Bush later described the terrorist attacks as “acts of war.” (EP)
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