Terrorist Attacks - September 2001 timeline of events
On September 11, 2001, a series of terrorist attacks occurred in America. It was an unfortunate day that many not only in the United States but around the world will never forget as they watched the TV in horror from her home. Hijackers took over planes and hit the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon just outside of Washington, D.C., and a fourth plane crashed into a field in Shenksville, Pennsylvania. The terrorist attacks caused the trading on Wall Street stopped that day and for the first time in history, the FAA halted all flight operations for the first time in United States history. The terrorist attacks also caused the US military to be placed on high alert and hundreds of policemen and fireman were sent to rescue World Trace Center workers when they towers collapsed.
On September 12, 2001, Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani warned that the death toll at the trade center could be in the thousands because of the terrorist attacks. There were still fires at the crash sites from the terrorist attacks both in New York and Washington. President George Bush stated that these terrorist attacks were an act of war.
On September 13-14, 2001, Bush declared a national emergency and called 50,000 reservists to active duty. Colin Powell identified Osama Bin Laden as the prime suspect in the terrorist attacks and the search for him began. The names of the 19 terrorists were released.
On September 19-20, 2001, the Pentagon ordered aircraft to bases in the Persian Gulf. Bush announces a Homeland Security office and named Tom Ridge to coordinate the efforts. Pentagon announces that over 5,000 members of the Air Force National Guard and Air Force Reserve are ordered to active duty.
On September 24-25, 2001, Bush signed an order freezing the assets of people and organizations and called it a strike at the financial foundation of terrorists. Osama Bin Laden called on Muslims in Pakistan to fight the “American Crusade.” The government called thousands more reservists to duty.
On September 27, 2001, the Taliban made it known that they are communicating with Osama Bin Laden and they gave him the message to leave the country voluntarily. Bush announced a plan that airline security was going to be tightened in the United States and have federal marshals on airplanes.
On September 29, 2001, Bush announces that the nation’s defense against more terrorist attacks would be “aggressively and methodically.” Thousands begin to rally in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Spain against armed retaliation and there are anti-war protests in Texas and Greece.
On September 30, 2001, the Taliban announce that they are keeping an alive Osama Bin Laden in a secret location in Afghanistan. Because of the terrorist attacks, the War on Terror had officially begun.