The September 11 attacks were a direct assault on the core of the United States mainland, an unprecedented event in American history. The repercussions were devastating and extended far beyond the US borders. The attacks resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths. More than 90 countries lost citizens in the attacks, including 67 from the UK.

What happened on 9/11? 

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners in the United States. Two of these planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, leading to the collapse of both towers. A third plane was crashed into the Pentagon near Washington, DC. The fourth plane, destined for another target believed to be the White House, went down in rural Pennsylvania after passengers and crew attempted to overcome the hijackers. The attacks resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and had a profound global impact.

Al-Qaeda, led by Osama Bin Laden, claimed responsibility for the attacks, citing interpretations of Islamic texts and grievances against US foreign policy as their motives.

War on Afghanistan 

The aftermath of 9/11 triggered the US invasion of Afghanistan, the declaration of the ‘War on Terror,’ and later, the invasion of Iraq. These conflicts continue to affect both nations to this day. Additionally, the attacks led to the implementation of new anti-terrorism legislation in many countries, including the UK, as governments sought to address the perceived threat of international terrorism.

While many aspects of the 9/11 attacks are widely recognised, there are several lesser-known facts and details about the event. Here are some of these lesser-known aspects of the attacks:

Lesser-known facts of 9/11 attacks 

  • The investigation into the September 11 attacks, code-named “PENTTBOM,” remains the largest FBI investigation ever conducted. At its peak, more than half of the FBI’s agents were involved in tracking down the hijackers and their associates.
  • Cleanup of the World Trade Center site was completed in 2002, while repairs to the Pentagon were finished within a year. The World Trade Center site has since been rebuilt, including the One World Trade Center, or Freedom Tower, which stands as a symbol of resilience and remembrance.
  • The 2001 attacks were not the first terrorist assault on the World Trade Center; a bombing in the North Tower’s parking garage in 1993 resulted in six deaths and over a thousand injuries.
  • The 9/11 hijackers entered the United States legally, using tourist, business, or student visas. The attacks were meticulously planned over several years, involving extensive research and reconnaissance by the terrorists.
  • Some hijackers trained at flight schools in Florida. The suspects were identified within 72 hours, as few attempted to conceal their identities in flight and credit card records.
  • On September 11, the hijackers departed from various airports, including Boston Logan, Newark International, and Washington Dulles International, according to the reports.
  • After the hijackings, fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the planes, but they arrived too late to stop the attacks.
  • Alongside the nearly 3,000 fatalities, thousands more sustained injuries and long-term health issues due to exposure to toxic dust and debris.
  • World Trade Center Building 7, a 47-story skyscraper that was not directly hit by an airplane, also collapsed on 9/11. The cause of its collapse remains a subject of ongoing debate.
  • The section of the Pentagon struck by American Airlines Flight 77 was under renovation at the time, which likely helped reduce the number of casualties.
  • Passengers on United Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania, are believed to have fought the hijackers, preventing the plane from reaching its likely target, either the U.S. Capitol or the White House.
  • American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon, was originally en route to a target thought to be the White House.
  • The South Tower of the World Trade Center, struck second, collapsed first, approximately 56 minutes after impact, while the North Tower fell about 102 minutes after being hit.