Security After 9/11

September 11, 2001 (herein referred to as 9/11) was a day in American history, which will be remembered as the most horrific attack on American soil. This attack, carried out by nineteen Islamic extremists, was associated with al-Qaeda, and involved the hijacking of four airplanes. Two of those airplanes were hijacked and flown directly into the World Trade Center in New York City, New York. The third plane’s target was the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and the fourth plane was brought down in Pennsylvania where it is believed the passengers aboard fought the hijackers. This horrific day in history cost over 3,000 people their lives, and was labeled the worst attack on American soil since the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II.

Roughly 2,753 people were killed on September 11, 2001, by terrorists who overtook commercial airplanes (Jones). The cause of these thousands of deaths were a series of attacks in New York City by an Islamic terrorist group, Al-Qaeda. However, there are still many questions about what actually happened the morning of September 11, 2001. As there are many different conspiracy theories about what happened that day, 9/11 was an attack which began with Al- Qaeda hi-jacking airplanes, but ended with more questions than answers. Many questions still remain about the authenticity of cell phone calls from inside the planes, why air defense was told to “stand down,” and how three buildings imploded as the result of two buildings being struck by airplanes.

Imagine a cloud of black smoke covering the sky of your hometown or having to make the choice if you should jump to your death out of a skyscraper because if you didn’t, then you would burn alive. Imagine calling your husband while on a plane while knowing that will be the last time you tell him you love him. Imagine the fear you would feel not knowing if your loved ones survived a terrorist attack. This nightmare on an imaginations became a terrible reality for New Yorkers and American citizens. On September 11, 2001, four aircrafts were hijacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists. Two of the aircrafts flew into the twin towers in New York City, one aircraft crashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth aircraft crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. These terrorist attacks that took place on September 11 resulted in many casualties, an increase in airport security, and the United States invading Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Two airplanes crashed into the two twin towers in New York City, one slammed into the west side of the Pentagon military headquarters, and the last one crashed into a rural field in Pennsylvania. It was believed that the fourth plane’s intended target was the White House or the Capitol. At 8:45 a.m. the first plane hit the North Tower, instantly killing hundreds and trapping hundreds and trapping hundreds on higher floors. At 9:03 a.m. a second plane struck the South Tower. Minutes later, the buildings collapsed, one after another, leaving heat and debris to billow throughout the city. The temperature could be felt miles away and the suffocating debris was impossible to withstand. People were covered from head to toe with ashes and dying from its effects to the body. It was our darkest hour and we could only turn towards each other for a helping hand and shoulder to cry on. The steady, serene debris continued to fall and darkness filled the sky. Time seemed to slow down, and we felt hopeless, for there was nothing we could do to bring back the thousands of lives taken

“I'm confident air travel is still the safest method of transportation.” Said Chad Elwood pilot for southwest airline.

On Sept. 11, 2001, A date that will live in infamy for Americans, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City. At 8:48 a.m. flight 11 crashed into the north tower. As it continued to burn a second plane flight 175 carrying 65 people crashed into the south tower around 9:05 a.m.. as smoke and debris fill the air in New York City after one of the World Trade Center towers collapsed. Police officers and rescue workers on the disaster scene in New York are covered in Ash that was two to three inches deep in places. People wandered dazed and terrified, Several firefighters coated with dust sat on the ground gasping for breath. One top fire official was asked if both towers had completely collapsed: "You

The creation of the Department of Homeland Security was a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. “The establishment of this organization provided this nation with a real opportunity for making vast improvements within our communities social and economic infrastructures to combat all threats, mainly terrorism” as stated by Bullock, (2013, P. 1). The 9/11 attacks exposed a

On September 11, 2001 four passenger commercial jet airliners were hijacked and as a result approximately 3,000 human lives were lost. When asked about 9/11, many can recall exactly what they were doing when they heard the news that a plane crashed into one of the World Trade Center (WTC) buildings and many Americans can tell you how it all unfolded and the reason behind such a travesty. The “official story” provided by officials, and restated by Sofia Shafquat, producer of “9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions” say that “four passenger planes were hijacked and taken radically off course, within an hour, two of the planes had flown into the enormous steel towers of the World Trade Center, creating fires and eventually toppling them” (Shafquat).

Figuring out who is or not a terrorist after 9/11 the government agencies cannot agree on the identification of terrorist suspects. Violating the civil liberties to combat terrorism is weakening the law and potentially the failure to the country. The investigation of terrorism the governmental agencies can form a case against that appears to a serious crime. The different type agencies have to label a terrorist and who is not a terrorist. The federal prosecutors are having problems a third of the in federal courts on terrorism offense are not identified as a suspect to terrorism. The government is not sure who should label as a target terroristic activity. The United States are having problems in bringing charges to the suspects in terrorism matters. The government has a difference in opinion how to deal with terrorism that will affect all American. The improper investigations that lead to countless of government fund lost that terrorist are incorrectly being prosecuted in the courts. The investigator are going around in circles targeting the wrong suspect and fail to get apprehend the real terrorist. It’s very to track down terrorist under the limited criteria that the government have t their disposal. In recent year there has been focus on the political debate between the White House and Congress in the civil liberties and suspect terrorist that is on the watch list

On September 11th, 2001, a horrific act of terror struck our nation to the core. Fear, devastating and humbling, lodged into our blessed lives. Over 2,800 American civilians were murdered in cold blood when two planes were hijacked and flown directly into the twin towers (Anderson 3). This atrocious event caused the entire country to mourn for its loss, and as American citizens, it is impossible to ignore the destruction of such an event.

September 11, 2001, millions of New Yorkers and American citizens woke up and started their day, unprepared and unaware for the catastrophic attack that would be taking place in just a few short hours. At 8:46 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower. The impact killed all of the passengers and crew as well as hundreds inside the building. At 9:03 a.m., a second plane, Flight 175, crashed into the corner of the South Tower killing passenger, crew, and workers who worked on floors seventy-five to eighty-three. Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. killing approximately 185 individuals (History.com Staff). Because of the damaged to the support system, fires, and impact at extremely fast speed, the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m. (Lipton and Glanz). Having heard about the acts of terrorism that had just taken place in New York and Washington, D.C., a group of passengers drove their plane, Flight 93, into a Pennsylvania field killing everyone on board but possibly saving hundreds of other lives in the process. The North Tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m. 102 minutes after being struck (History.com Staff). On September 11, 2001, almost twelve hundred people were wounded or killed by “coordinated suicide attempts” by Al Qaeda terrorists. In result to the four airplanes being hijacked and used for premediated reasons, the United States government instituted new regulations for entering the country and airport security as well as expounded on systems already in place.

The article, “9 Ways Security Has Changed Since 9/11,” discusses different ways security has changed in airports since September 11, 2001. Before the 9/11 terrorist attack, airport security consisted of only a metal detector. Now, identification is required; shoes must be removed; all baggage must be checked; and only a tiny liquid bottle is allowed. Before, passengers could arrive a few minutes before the boarding time. Now, airlines recommend arriving two hours before boarding.

The September 11th attacks have had a profound effect on American history. Often referred to as “9/11”, these attacks were comprised of a group of organized terrorists known as Al-Qaeda. This extreme Islamic group assaulted several landmarks in New York City, Washington D.C, and the state of Pennsylvania. In New York City, two airliner jets were hijacked with passengers aboard and slammed into the World Trade Center. “The next attack resulted in a plane colliding into the Pentagon, government building; the last attack was in Pennsylvania when a plane crashed into a field. In total, 3,000 people died on September 11th, 2001” (History.com Staff). The September 11th-attacks have affected airport security by the new training of flight attendants, the formation of the Transportation Security Administration and new technical advances to keep up with increased terror threats.

September 11, 2001 marked the most horrific day in history for United States of America. The events of this day changed the lives of those residing in America forever. United States was considered somewhat safe, in regards to terrorists’ attacks. However, this all came to a screeching halt when 19 militants known to be a part of the Al-Qaeda terrorist group hijacked four planes for the purpose of destroying targeted areas in the United States. As a result of the deadly attack on the United States, security measures drastically changed. Although, security measures throughout the United States have been in place, extreme caution came into effect. All departments looked at different measures to improve preventing terrorists’ attacks.

Along with increased security within the United States the NATO council declared that this attack was not only an attack on the U.S., but on all NATO nations. The United States declared a War on Terror to prevent an attack like these from happening again. The United States planned on achieving this by economic and military sanctions on states that are perceived to be involved in terrorist activities. The Taliban government was removed for supporting al-Qaeda. Many countries, such as the United Kingdom, India, Austria, and Pakistan, enforced anti-terrorist legislation after 9/11. The United States Department of Homeland Security was formed. The primary function is to help prevent, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism on the U.S.(York 2001) This is also an important case because it shows counter terrorism methods of not only the United States, but of the country’s allies as well. This is a prime example of allies coming to a nation’s aid in time of need. This case also showed how a country (the U.S.) with strong economic and military power is going to react and how this reaction is going to transform international relations. This case shows strong enforcement of demands on an attack that had many casualties.