9/11 facts – Interesting facts about 9/11
9/11 facts: 9/11 is considered to be one of the deadliest attacks carried out by terrorists. It seems that 9/11 was just yesterday where two planes have taken down the World Trade Center along with it. The cries for their loved ones, the Presidents speech to come back strong, the efforts of the fire fighters and the people to rescue the people out of the buildings. It was such a horrific experience which sends shivers down the spine whenever we think of it. These are some of the interesting facts about 9/11 to learn.
On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with al-Qaeda hijacked four planes and carried out suicide attacks. Two of the planes were flown into the WTC in NYC, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks in New York City and Washington D.C., including more than 400 police officers and fire fighters.
The phrase ‘Ground zero’, used for the site of the WTC, was originally used to refer to the site of the atomic bomb that exploded over Hiroshima in 1945.
On 9/11 when all the transport of the city was shut down, boat owners managed to transport over 500,000 people from Manhattan Island which is now known as the ‘9/11 boatlift’
On 9/11, after the first plane hit the North Tower, people in the South Tower wanted to leave but were advised by an announcement to stay at their desks. Some of those who tried to leave were turned back by the security in the buildings before the exits. About 1,120 of them died.
After 9/11, the Queen of England authorized the Coldstream Guards to break the protocol and play US national anthem during the Changing of the Guard, so that it can give some comfort to Americans stranded in London due to airport closures.
Canada commenced an Operation Yellow Ribbon to handle the diversion of civilian airline flights in response to the 9/11 attack. Canada tool in 255 diverted flights from the US on 9/11 and the Canadians fed the diverted passengers.
An investment bank which lost 75% of its employees in 9/11 sued the American Airlines for negligence in allowing terrorists on board, and won $135 million.
The names on the 9/11 Memorial are arranged by relationship, instead of alphabetically, to preserve the bonds of family and friendship, and to show the connections between people who changed each other lives that day.
The plane from San Diego to Miami was the only plane allowed to fly on 9/11 after the attacks. The plane was delivering anti-venom to a man bitten by a highly poisonous snake. It was accompanied by two jet fighters.