9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Overview
The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were a coordinated assault by al-Qaeda, using hijacked commercial airplanes to strike symbols of American power—Manhattan's World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and, likely, the US Capitol. Nearly 3,000 people were killed, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in US history.
The attacks triggered the Global War on Terror, prompting the US to invade Afghanistan in October 2001 to dismantle al-Qaeda and topple the Taliban, followed by the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Domestically, the government passed the PATRIOT Act, created the Department of Homeland Security, and transformed airport security while implementing controversial detention and interrogation policies.
The legacy of 9/11 reshaped American life for decades, creating a generational divide between those who experienced the attacks and those born into a world of heightened security and surveillance. Initially sparking national unity, the prolonged wars and expanded government monitoring of citizens became increasingly divisive, fundamentally altering global counterterrorism practices and foreign policy priorities.
1440 Findings
Hours of research by our editors, distilled into minutes of clarity.
Explore World History
Weave together the many narratives of world history with our highly curated and expanding selection of diverse, fascinating resources designed to showcase the breadth and richness of Earth's story, from the earliest traces of human civilization to the dramatic developments of contemporary cultures.