SEPTEMBER 11, 2001-NEVER FORGET

September 11, As It Happened

A timeline of America’s terrorist attack

The twin towers burn on September 11th, 2001. Photo credit Kenneth Gross Wikipedia Commons

On a gorgeous September day 24 years ago, thousands of people arrived at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon for a normal workday. Hundreds of people boarded four planes for a routine flight to various destinations. Husbands kissed their wives goodbye; wives ran out the door as they were late for work. Children said goodbye to their parents as they left for school. Firefighters in New York and in Washington prepared for a routine day, some with “ride alongs” to teach about the calling of being a firefighter.

George Bush, President of the U.S. started his day in the usual way, with a run. His secret service was by his side, with one agent on a bike holding a machine gun. Vice President Dick Cheney was in Washington at the White House.

While CIA intelligence said there was chatter about hijackings, and hints something big was going to happen, Bush says, “there was nothing out of the ordinary in the morning briefing; certainly no threat assessments.”

America would soon realize how vulnerable it was, as three planes crashed into targets and incinerated innocent people. On a flight over Pennsylvania, courageous citizens decided to make a stand and bring down a plane headed to…