The September 11 terrorist attack. An event that changed people's lives

Today marks the 16th anniversary of the most terrible and daring terrorist attack in the history of the United States and the whole world. In the United States on Monday, mourning ceremonies will be held to commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Six minutes of silence will be observed on this day.

Militants of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger planes and sent two of them to the towers of the World War II shopping center, the other two - to the Pentagon, as well as to the White House or Capitol. All planes reached their targets except the last one. The fourth hijacked plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The attack killed 2,977 people, including 343 firefighters and 60 police officers. In addition to the Americans, citizens of 92 other countries were killed. The attack claimed 2,753 lives in New York, 184 in the Pentagon and 40 in Pennsylvania.

19 terrorists were also listed as killed in the terrorist attacks, 15 of them were citizens of Saudi Arabia, two were United Arab Emirates, as well as Egypt and Lebanon.

The exact amount of damage caused by the terrorist attacks is still unknown. In September 2006, the then head of the White House, George W. Bush, said that the damage from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 for the United States amounted to the lowest estimate of $500 billion.

In November 2002, America created a special independent commission to investigate the September 11 terrorist attacks. Two years later, she released the final report on the investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy, which contained 600 pages. Experts acknowledged that suicide bombers took advantage of serious “administrative failures” in the work of US authorities and intelligence.

The only person convicted in the case of terrorist attacks in the United States was Zacarias Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan origin. He was arrested in August 2001 after graduating from flight school in Oklahoma and training on a Boeing 747 simulator in Minnesota. In the spring of 2005, the court found Moussaoui guilty of intending to commit a terrorist attack, which on that tragic day was supposed to be the fifth in a row. The Frenchman admitted that, on the personal instructions of Osama bin Laden, he was supposed to hijack the plane and fly it to the White House. In May 2006, a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, sentenced Moussaoui to life imprisonment.

In 2002 and 2003, police arrested six other people suspected of involvement in the attacks. They spent several years in CIA prisons, and in 2006 they were taken to a camp at the American base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In early 2008, the US Department of Defense charged six prisoners with murder and war crimes as part of the investigation into the September 11 attacks.

The investigation brought charges against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who, according to the authorities, was the central figure in the preparation of the terrorist attacks. Organizational support for the terrorists was provided by Ramzi Binalshiba (Ramzi bin al-Shiba) from Yemen. Mohammed al-Qahtani, according to investigators, was to become the 20th hijacker of four American planes on September 11, 2001. Mustafa Ahmed Hawsawi, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali and Walid bin Attash were also accused of preparing the terrorist attack. In 2008, the charges against al-Qahtani were dropped.

In January 2009, the new US President Barack Obama promised to close it, ordering the suspension of the military prosecutor's office. The military department had to abandon accusations of terrorists. However, as we know, Obama's promise remained unfulfilled - Congress did not approve of his plans. Therefore, already in the spring of 2011, he ordered the resumption of military trials against terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay.

In May 2011, US military prosecutors again charged five suspects, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, with involvement in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. A year later, a military tribunal formally charged them with conspiracy, attacking civilians, intentionally causing physical harm, murder, violating the laws of war, causing destruction, hijacking an aircraft and terrorism. All five remained silent during the trial.

In July 2014, a military court at Guantanamo concluded that Ramzi Binalshibh should be tried separately after military doctors discovered that the Yemeni had a “serious mental illness.” To date, hearings in the case of those accused of involvement in organizing the terrorist attack are ongoing.

Last spring, New York District Judge George Daniels issued a default judgment requiring Tehran to pay $7.5 billion to relatives and other representatives of those killed at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The judge also determined that the Islamic Republic authorities must pay another three billion to insurers who covered property damage. Previously, the judge ruled that since Tehran could not prove its non-involvement in providing assistance to the organizers of the terrorist attack, therefore the authorities of this country bear a share of responsibility for the damage caused.

The US Congress passed a law in September 2016 that allows the heirs of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks to sue - most of the terrorists were holders of passports from this particular country. In early October last year, an American woman who lost her husband in a terrorist attack filed her first lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, and this spring, relatives of victims in the United States filed a class action lawsuit against Riyadh. Later, dozens of insurance companies filed a lawsuit against two banks in the kingdom, as well as firms associated with the family of Osama bin Laden - the amount of the claim amounted to more than $4 billion. Saudi Arabia, in turn, asked a Manhattan federal court to dismiss 25 lawsuits. According to the country's authorities, the plaintiffs have no evidence of the involvement of Riyadh or its associated organizations in the 9/11 attack.

In 2011, on the site of the destroyed Twin Towers in New York, the World Trade Center Memorial appeared, which consists of two square fountain pools located right at the bases of the former Twin Towers. Streams of water cascade down the inner walls of these pools and flow into square holes located at the bottom of the fountains. The names of 2,983 victims of the terrorist attacks are carved on bronze slabs that line the parapets of the buildings.

Since 2002, September 11 has been celebrated in the United States as Patriot Day; since 2009, this date has also been referred to as the national Day of Service and Remembrance.

On September 11, 2001, three planes controlled by terrorists crashed into the skyscrapers of the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York and the Pentagon building. The fourth crashed in Pennsylvania. The attacks killed those in the buildings and on the hijacked planes. In addition, the disaster claimed the lives of firefighters and police officers, thanks to whose efforts it was possible to save about 30 thousand people. On weekdays, over 55 thousand people worked at the World Trade Center; the daily number of visitors and tourists reached 150 thousand. On July 15, 2002, the search for the remains of victims of the terrorist attacks was officially completed.

On August 20, 2002, the first official list of those killed in New York as a result of the World Trade Center collapse was published. It includes 2,819 people from 80 countries, including three Russians. A total of 157 people were killed on the two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center skyscrapers. 343 firefighters died. 1,102 people were identified by relatives or using DNA analysis. According to statistics, of the ten people who died in New York, eight were men; the average age of the dead was forty years. These were predominantly knowledge workers, from software developers to bank employees and insurance workers. Many were at the peak of their careers. About ten people were executives, founders or presidents of companies. At least 59 people served as vice presidents. Of the identified victims, fifteen were under twenty-one years of age, including three three-year-old children.

As a result of the terrorist attack in Washington, when a plane crashed into the Pentagon building, 184 people were killed: 120 employees and 64 passengers and crew members. 44 people died on a plane that was hijacked by terrorists but crashed in Pennsylvania before reaching Washington. The total number of deaths was more than three thousand people, about six thousand were injured. On September 12, 2001, US President George W. Bush made a televised address to the nation in connection with the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. He said he had ordered the use of the “full intelligence and law enforcement resources” of the United States to find and punish the perpetrators of the attacks. The head of the White House said that the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks carried out an “act of mass murder.” According to him, terrorists sought to create chaos in America, but they failed to do so.

On September 15, the US President, in his weekly radio address to the country, said that the US was planning a “comprehensive offensive” against terrorism. The US is planning a "broad and sustained campaign to defend our country and destroy the evil of terrorism." George W. Bush warned Americans that they would need patience because the coming “conflict will not be short,” as well as determination because “the conflict will not be easy.” Bush called the terrorists' actions "barbaric." He said that the United States will work together with other countries of the world, including Russia, India, and Pakistan, to punish the perpetrators and organizers of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

(average: 4,94 out of 5)

This September 11, 2001 in the USA(in the West simply 9/11) is considered the bloodiest in all of world history. The most covered media event of all time.

10 years ago, three planes flown by terrorists crashed into the Pentagon building, located near Washington, and into the 110-story skyscrapers of the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York, causing them to collapse. Terrorist attacks killed 2,977 citizens from 92 countries.

According to the official version, responsibility for these attacks lies with the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. Subsequently official version the incident was criticized by a number of journalists, scientists and witnesses to the tragedy.

Independent investigations were carried out, some of which were made into documentaries. According to one version, the attack on the Twin Towers was only a diversionary maneuver, and the customers should be looked for not among Afghan terrorists or in the lair of Osama bin Laden, but much closer - in the circle of the US President.

The events of September 11, 2001 developed like this. At approximately the same time, terrorists hijacked 4 airliners some time after takeoff.

1. Statue of Liberty. Manhattan is shrouded in smoke from the collapse of the World Trade Center skyscrapers. Photo taken September 15, 2001. (Photo by Dan Loh | AP):

At 08:45 am first The Boeing 767-200 crashed into the North Tower of the 110-story World Trade Center skyscrapers at approximately 94-98 floors. 18 minutes later at 9:03 second plane The Boeing 767-200 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center approximately at the 77-85 floor level.

2. “One second before.” Second plane approaches the South Tower of the World Trade Center, New York, 9:02, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Sean Adair | Reuters):

3. Second plane Boeing 767-200 Flight 175 crashes into the World Trade Center South Tower on floors 77-85, 9:03 a.m., September 11, 2001. (Photo by Sean Adair | Reuters):

4. On board the 175th flight there were 56 passengers (including 5 terrorists) and 9 crew members. (Photo by Spencer Platt | Getty Images):

5. Almost 35 tons of aviation fuel explodes on impact. (Photo by Richard Drew | AP):

6. Hole in the North Tower of the World Trade Center where the first one crashed, New York, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Richard Drew | AP):

After the capture, some passengers were able to report what was happening using satellite phones. According to their reports, the terrorists used bladed weapons (possibly knives), as a result of which several flight attendants and crew members were killed.

7. The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center after 2 airliners crashed into them. Ahead - Empire State Building, New York, Tuesday, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Marty Lederhandler | AP):

8. Satellite view of the burning skyscrapers of the World Trade Center in New York, 9:30, September 11, 2001. (USGS Photo | AP):

9. People on the top floors of skyscrapers. They are trapped by fire on the lower floors where the planes crashed. (Photo by Jose Jimenez | Primera Hora | Getty Images):

10. At least 200 of those trapped on the upper floors of the World Trade Center towers jumped down, preferring such a death to death by fire. (Photo by Jose Jimenez | Primera Hora | Getty Images):

11. Their fall was observed by numerous witnesses. (Photo by Richard Drew | AP):

12. Some tried to get to the roofs of the towers, hoping for evacuation by helicopters, but the evacuation did not take place: the smoke and heat from the fire made it impossible to use helicopters. (Photo by Richard Drew | AP):

13. Third plane American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757-200, crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. This is a photo from a surveillance camera. (AP Photo):

14. Fire in the Pentagon building after it crashed. 125 people in the building and 60 passengers on board the Boeing died. (Photo by Will Morris | AP):

16. Part of the Pentagon building collapsed. (Photo by Kevin Lamarque | Reuters):

18. The target of the 4th plane The Boeing 757-200 may have been the Capitol. According to a transcript of the Flight 93 voice recorder, the crew and passengers attempted to regain control of the airliner after learning mobile phones that other hijacked planes crashed into the WTC towers. It is likely that the terrorists, losing the fight, decided to send the plane into the ground, where it crashed. The Boeing crashed into a field in southwestern Pennsylvania, near Shanksville, at 10:03 a.m. (Photo by Jason Cohn | Reuters):

19. The site of the crash of the 4th plane in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania, near the city of Shanksville. (FBI Photo | AP):

20. But we return to the burning skyscrapers of the World Trade Center. The main events took place there. (Photo by Mario Tama | Getty Images):

According to the official version, about an hour after the airliners crashed into the skyscrapers, buildings began to collapse as a result of fire and melting of supporting steel structures by burning aviation fuel.

The official version has been criticized by many experts who believe that the use of aviation fuel to melt 200,000 tons of steel (the amount of steel in one Tower) is an amazing discovery.

Other theories They doubt that the nature of the collapse of the WTC towers corresponds to that which could have been caused by aircraft hits and fires. It is argued that the destruction of the towers is more like a controlled demolition. It has also been suggested that the attacks of September 11, 2001 were planned and carried out not by the al-Qaeda organization, but by American intelligence agencies.

International opinion, according to a survey conducted in 17 countries, gives this picture. Overall, 46% of respondents place the main responsibility on al-Qaeda, 15% on the US government, 7% on Israel, and another 7% name other culprits. We won't go deeper into this topic. Those interested in these events can find materials on the Internet.

21. 56 minutes after South Tower the second plane crashed at 9:59 am it begins to collapse, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Gulnara Samoilova | AP):

22. (Photo by Richard Drew | AP):

23. Collapse of the 110-story South Tower World Trade Center. View from the street, September 9, 2001. (Photo by Doug Kanter | AFP | Getty Images):

24. As in from dust and debris. (Photo by Gulnara Samoilova | AP):

25. 102 minutes after North Tower the first plane crashed at 10:28 am it begins to collapse, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Diane Bondareff | AP):

26. (Photo by Primera Hora | Getty Images):

27. Collapse of the 110-story World Trade Center skyscrapers, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Greg Semendinger | AP):

28. A total of 2,606 people died at the World Trade Center. (Photo by Shannon Stapleton | Reuters):

29. 1366 people on the upper floors died North Tower World Trade Center, many of whom died when the plane collided with the tower, and the rest due to fire and collapse. IN South Tower At least 600 people died on the upper floors. At least 200 of those trapped on the upper floors of the towers jumped down and died. (Photo by Greg Semendinger | AP):

30. On the streets of New York during the destruction of the World Trade Center towers, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett | AP):

31. Clouds of smoke, dust and debris spread throughout Manhattan. (Photo by Ray Stubblebine | Reuters):

32. (Photo by Gulnara Samoilova | AP):

33. (Photo by Gulnara Samoilova | AP):

34. (Photo by Daniel Shanken | AP):

35. The fire killed 341 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 8 ambulance workers. (Photo by Mario Tama | Getty Images):

36. In total, about 18 people were able to leave the impact zone in the South Tower and escape. (Photo by Gulnara Samiolava | AP):

In New York, more than 1,600 bodies were identified, but about 1,100 people could not be identified. It was reported that “about 10,000 fragments of bones and tissues were found at the site of the tragedy, which is incomparable with the number of victims.”

38. The streets of Manhattan after the collapse of the “twin” World Trade Center, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Boudicon One | AP):

39. At the site of the former 110-story World Trade Center, September 15, 2001. (Reuters Photo):

40. The landing gear of one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center buildings, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Shannon Stapleton | Reuters):

41. Search for possible survivors of the World Trade Center "twin" crash, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Matt Moyer | AP):

42. Fire still burning at the site of the former World Trade Center, September 12, 2001, one day after. (Photo by Baldwin | AP):

45. In addition to the destruction of the two 110-story WTC towers, other buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed. As a result of skyscraper collapses, about 1.5 kilometers of New York subway lines were damaged. AP Photo):

46. ​​Rescue workers work underground in the collapsed World Trade Center, September 14, 2011. (Photo by U.S. Navy | Reuters):

The events that took place caused chaos throughout the United States. All commercial flights were canceled and aircraft landing in the United States was prohibited. Planes arriving from other countries were diverted back to their departure airports or diverted to airports in Canada and Mexico. Over major cities US Air Force fighters were patrolling.

47. Ruins of the World Trade Center, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Doug Kanter | AFP | Getty Images):

The victims of September 11, 2001 were 2,977 people (not including 19 terrorists): 246 passengers and crew members of aircraft, 2,606 people in New York, in the World Trade Center buildings and on the ground, 125 in the Pentagon building. Citizens of the United States and 91 other countries were killed, including 96 citizens of Russia and the CIS.

When the World Trade Center skyscrapers were destroyed, about 16,000 people were saved who were in the towers below the plane's impact zone. Most of them survived, having been evacuated before the buildings were destroyed.

A memorial complex was erected on the site of the collapsed twin towers. The complex is currently undergoing reconstruction, which is planned to be completed by 2012.