Personal Narrative Essay: The Day I Survived 9/11

September 11th 2001 there was a surprise attack on the United States by terrorists. The terrorists allegedly hijacked four airplanes. One was meant for the White House, one was meant for the Pentagon and the other two were meant for the twin tower which fell and many lives were lost. However some say it was not terrorists and that it was the United States government and that the government set a bomb and that they had several motives to do this.

"A plane just crashed right into one of the Twin Towers!" Someone yelled. People were screaming because they were on fire. Others were fleeing for their life, but all I could do was stare in awe at the smoking hole in one of the biggest towers in New York. September 11, 2001, one of the most devastating days for me, and for all of America.

but I had an important meeting so I cancelled it. That’s actually where I was when the attacks occurred. I was in tower 2 on the 31ST floor sitting and listening to my boss Hennery talk about a new project we would be starting next Thursday. We were still tired because it was 7:45 in the morning.

Nearly everyone in America remembers this day and the significance that it had in their life. Just the mention of September 11th (9/11) is enough to instill certain feelings in Americans. Those old enough to have lived through that day almost certainly can remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news on September 11th 2001. The terrible images playing on the televised news reports for days and weeks and the images of the attacks are burned in all of our minds.

The book I read was called "I survived September 11th 2001." Its one of the books in the I survived series. Written by Lauren Tarshis. And based around true events.

September 11, 2001 is the day four planes were hijacked and three crashed into important buildings, while the last crashed into a field. And today all the grief, devastation, great sacrifice, and total annihilation will be remembered throughout time as 9/11. To tell you everything would take forever, so instead I will tell you how my mother saw it. It was on a day we all know as 9/11, there was a house on Quimby Way in Sacramento, California. And in this house, my mother was going throughout her day as usual, which most likely involved laundry, dishes, and watching two children by the name of Alanna and Christopher, when she saw the news. “Is this really happening? This can’t be true! Was it an accident? Oh my god, both towers! What would ever make someone do that? This is terrible, why is it even happening in the first place? Why? Why?

Most Americans remember the hardship from the events that took place on September 11, 2001. It was a very hard time for many families; loved ones were passing or saying their last words over the phone. It was hard on more than just those people though. Through it, all heroes stepped-up and terrorists were overcome. Damage was done, but memorials were built to remember the good, not the bad. September 11, 2001, is a day that terrorists tried to bring America to its knees; however, heroes arose to act as true patriots to save hundreds of lives including Flight 93 and the Pentagon.

Years ago, a trip to the airport was an enjoyment. You didn’t have worry about terrorism that much. In 9/11, the hijackers deliberately took control over the plane, leaving passengers panicking for their lives. Airlines and airplanes were ordered to shut down all over the United States. “Immediately after the attacks, domestic air flights were ceased immediately for various days, for terror of additional attacks” (9/11 Effects in the USA, Soong). After 9/11, people were still petrified to even travel. Since then, the airline industry has modified it’s rules and regulations from then. They were more rigorous to what items are and aren’t allowed aboard; items had to come in traveling sizes to even permit in the plane. In a ripple effect, it was like the whole economy of the United States and the universe was frozen in place.

It felt like forever had passed, but as I kept looking up at the clock, I realized it had only been a few minutes from since we first reached the huge break room tables. My supervisor finally went up to the front of the break room and through his tears, he managed to inform us that hijackers had taken over airplanes and collided them into the Twin Towers in New York City. So much silence filled the room; you could hear a pin drop. Everybody’s blank and puzzled gazes twisted into an afraid and horrified look, like they had just seen a ghost appear. Mr. Smith, the vice president of the company, told us not to fear too much, New York is a long way away from us. Not one person moved an inch. There were looks of horror and shock throughout the break room. A few seconds of quietness passed when finally Mrs. Smith turned on the televisions in the break room. The only thing I saw was smoke, dust, haze, torn clothing, buildings on fire, and people running around trying to take cover. My mind will never forget that picture, it still feels like it happened just yesterday. We all sat completely horrified in fear as everyone pondered if we would

It’s a warm Sunday afternoon at Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey and my bags are filled with clothes like I am filled with excitement. I close my eyes and imagine the coastal calmess of Barcelona, tounges releasing the Catalan language while I strolled in awe. Take a turn and suddenly it’s the bustling streets of Paris, Seine River bridges and towering landmarks all in the name of liberté, fraternité, et égalité.

There were an innumerable amount of moments throughout 9/11- In Memoriam 9/11/2011 that got to me and forced me to focus deeper into the tragedy that was 9/11. The moment that gripped me the most was the sequence of phone calls made by those trapped inside the buildings, knowing they had little to no chance of survival, to their loved ones. In all of the documentaries that I have watched, I have never heard the calls placed by those inside the building. The voices of those inside, honestly hurt to listen to.

Although everyone was affected in some shape or form on the tragic day of September 11th 2001, some people could have done more to make this a much less tragic day. Many people were directly and indirectly involved in the attack such as the ones who were working in the World Trade Centers, Mayor Rudy Giuliani of NYC, President George Bush, firefighters, policemen/policewomen, random heroic citizens and citizens caught in the rubble from the collapse of the towers. Specifically the lack of preparation in Giuliani's administration is a big reason there was such a great deal of losses in the first responders. The police and fire departments command procedures showed many holes. NYPD Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik was the one who controlled the police officers and gave them directions.

I Remember it all the day the bomb dropped. Me and my family were sitting in our house when the broadcast came on. I fully didn't understand it till he said the bomb are dropping across the united states. So i remembered that a guy by the name john had came by our house asking if we would like to join vault tec. So I told my family we have to get to the vault now. So everyone was rushing out of there homes to get to the vault. So we start run as fast as we can. When we get to the entrance of the vault. There was a huge crowd, then walk up to the front and then there was john only letting people that are signed up to be in the vault through.Then I tell that me and my family are signed up to get in the vault. He let us pass so we were told to

Have you ever been all the way to the top of the World Trade Center?Well I have and it was amazing!I was pretty scared because I'm afraid of heights,but when I got up to the top I forgot all about being scared.When I was going up in the elevator it showed a amazing virtual view of the buildings around the World Trade Center.

In the Month of September there are a lot of holidays. One of the holidays is Labor Day. Labor Day celebrates those American Workers and there achievements. Usually they close schools and sometimes they even give people they day off of work. Labor Day is celebrated the first Monday of September. People do cook out and go to parks and gather the family.