Today, on September 11, 2025, marked the 24ᵉ anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, a day that upset the whole world. On that day, four line planes were diverted by members of the Al-Qaeda terrorist group.
Two hit the twin rounds of the World Trade Center in New York, another hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the last crashed in Pennsylvania after the passengers tried to regain control of the aircraft. These attacks caused nearly 3,000 people to death and deeply marked contemporary history.
A tragic day
On the morning of September 11, 2001, the United States was struck in the heart. At 8:46 am, the American Airlines 11 flight crashed against the Northern Tower of the World Trade Center. At 9:03 am, the United Airlines 175 flight hits the South Tower. At 9:37 am, the American Airlines 77 flight reached the Pentagon. Finally, at 10:03 am, the United Airlines 93 flight crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after the passengers tried to master the air pirates. These events have been broadcast live on television, upsetting millions of viewers around the world.
The immediate consequences
The attacks caused a world shock wave. The United States reacted by launching the “war against terrorism”, which led to the invasion of Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban regime and dismantle Al-Qaeda. This war lasted almost 20 years, until the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. On the indoor level, the United States has strengthened its national security, in particular with the creation of the Department of Internal Security and the implementation of increased monitoring measures.
Recent discoveries
Twenty-four years after the attacks, new information continues to emerge. In 2021, US President Joe Biden asked for the declassification of documents related to the investigation into the attacks, for the sake of transparency and to appease the families of the victims. In addition, research has revealed that numerous emergency rescuers and workers exposed to the toxic dust of Ground Zero still suffer from serious respiratory diseases, such as cancers and pulmonary diseases, years after their exposure.
A sustainable heritage
September 11, 2001 left an indelible imprint on the world. He redefined international relations, changed security policies and influenced the perception of terrorism. Each year, commemorative ceremonies are organized to honor the memory of the victims. The September 11 memorial in New York, inaugurated in 2011, is a place of meditation and reflection, with the names of the victims engraved around two basins located at the site of the old twin towers.
While time passes, the memory of September 11, 2001 remains lively. He reminds us of the fragility of peace and the importance of vigilance in the face of threats to our world. Today, on September 11, 2025, we remember the lost lives, the heroes who risked their lives and the resilience of a nation and a whole world in the face of adversity.