The Twin Towers were struck by two of the four hijacked commercial aircraft, an act carried out by 19 terrorists affiliated with the extremist group al Qaeda on September 11, 2001. This coordinated series of attacks tragically impacted the United States.
The September 11, 2001 Attacks
On the morning of September 11, 2001, a devastating series of terrorist attacks unfolded when 19 terrorists from the Islamist extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes. These individuals executed a meticulously planned assault that targeted significant American landmarks.
The attacks unfolded as follows:
- American Airlines Flight 11 was deliberately crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center complex in New York City.
- United Airlines Flight 175 was subsequently crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center complex.
- American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
- United Airlines Flight 93, though intended for another target in Washington D.C., crashed in a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew valiantly fought back against the hijackers.
The Perpetrators: Al Qaeda
The attacks were orchestrated by al Qaeda, an international Sunni Islamist extremist organization founded by Osama bin Laden. Their motivations stemmed from a radical interpretation of Islamic texts and a deep-seated opposition to Western influence, particularly the United States' foreign policy in the Middle East. The 19 hijackers involved in the 9/11 attacks were members of this organization, trained and dispatched to carry out the devastating plot.
For more detailed information on the 9/11 attacks, you can visit resources like History.com's extensive coverage of 9/11.
Summary of Targeted Locations
To clarify the impact points of the hijacked planes on 9/11:
| Flight Number | Target Location | Building/Area Hit |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines Flight 11 | World Trade Center, New York City | North Tower |
| United Airlines Flight 175 | World Trade Center, New York City | South Tower |
| American Airlines Flight 77 | The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia | Western side of the building |
| United Airlines Flight 93 | Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania (intended for DC) | Field (after passenger intervention) |
The collective actions of these 19 terrorists from al Qaeda led to the tragic collapse of the Twin Towers and significant damage to the Pentagon, fundamentally altering the course of modern history.
