9/11 at the Pentagon

A Clear Morning, Forever Changed

September 11, 2001, was a warm, sunny day in Washington, D.C.—as it was across New York City and the Eastern Seaboard. But before the morning was over, our nation would experience the deadliest terrorist attack in its history.

The coordinated hijacking of four commercial airliners, the deliberate targeting of symbolic institutions, and the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent people would shake the United States—and the world—to its core. Yet amid the horror, the bravery and selflessness shown by countless individuals remain forever inspiring and worthy of remembrance.

American Airlines Flight 77

That morning at approximately 7:35 a.m., five hijackers passed through security at Dulles International Airport. They boarded American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757 bound for Los Angeles.

The plane departed at 8:20 a.m., ten minutes behind schedule. On board were 64 people: 6 crew members, 53 passengers, and the 5 hijackers.

The Hijacking

The final routine radio transmission from Flight 77 occurred at 8:51 a.m. It is believed that sometime between 8:51 and 8:54 a.m., as the plane flew over eastern Kentucky, the hijackers seized control of the aircraft.

With one hijacker—Hani Hanjour, a certified pilot—at the controls, the others forced passengers and crew to the rear of the plane. This was a calculated move to prevent any effort to retake control before the aircraft reached its target.

Going Off Radar

At 8:56 a.m., the hijackers turned off the plane’s transponder, a device that transmits identification, altitude, and speed to air traffic controllers. With the transponder disabled, Flight 77 could only be tracked by primary radar, significantly reducing visibility and complicating response efforts.

The hijacker pilot ignored all attempts at radio contact.

Turning Toward Washington

At 9:00 a.m., Flight 77 made a sharp eastward turn over southern Ohio, bringing it back toward Washington, D.C. By 9:33 a.m., the aircraft was approaching from the west, heading directly for the nation’s capital.

At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the control tower relayed an urgent message to the Secret Service Operations Center:

“An aircraft is coming at you and not talking with us.”

Just south of Alexandria, Virginia, the aircraft turned again and aligned with its final target.

Impact at the Pentagon

At precisely 9:37:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the western façade of the Pentagon, between Corridors 4 and 5.

Traveling at over 500 miles per hour, the aircraft tore through the building’s E-Ring and penetrated three of the Pentagon’s five concentric rings. The explosion ignited a fireball fueled by jet fuel, which sparked fires that burned for hours.

“At first I thought I’d blown up the fax machine. Then I realized that it wasn’t me. I smelled the jet fuel.”
– Louise Rogers, Civilian Accountant, Pentagon

“Do me a favor—for the rest of the day, work beneath your desk.” – John Yates, Army Civilian Security Manager, Pentagon

Emergency Response

The Pentagon’s on-site firehouse responded immediately. Firefighters from Reagan National Airport and Arlington County Fire Department arrived within minutes. Many civilians and military personnel evacuated swiftly. Others ran toward danger—rushing back into the smoke-filled halls to help those who were trapped, injured, or unconscious.

Their courage saved lives.

Lives Lost

184 people were killed in the attack on the Pentagon:

• 125 individuals inside the building

• 59 passengers and crew aboard Flight 77

Among the victims were:

• Children and teachers on a school trip

• Military officers and enlisted personnel

• Civilian employees and contractors

• Scientists, administrators, pilots, and public servants

They came from cities, towns, and rural communities across the United States and around the world. The youngest was 3 years old. The oldest was 71.

Despite their many differences, they are united through the tragedy and sacrifice of that day.

Rebuilding and Remembrance

The physical damage to the Pentagon was repaired in under one year, through the Phoenix Project—a defiant act of resilience and commitment. But the emotional and spiritual wounds remain.

The events of 9/11 changed our world permanently. What cannot be rebuilt are the lives lost—but what can be honored is their memory, and the extraordinary bravery shown by so many.

9/11 in New York City

“May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance.”

— National September 11 Memorial Mission

The Attack on the World Trade Center

On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked two commercial flights departing from Boston, Massachusetts, and turned them into weapons of mass destruction.

At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11, carrying 92 people, crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center (WTC 1) between the 94th and 98th floors.

At 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175, with 65 people aboard, struck the South Tower (WTC 2) between the 78th and 84th floors.

The force of the impacts instantly killed all passengers and crew, along with hundreds inside the buildings. Fires ignited by jet fuel quickly spread across multiple floors, trapping hundreds and creating scenes of unimaginable horror.

Evacuation and Collapse

Of the approximately 17,400 people present in the Twin Towers that morning, an estimated 15,000 evacuated safely thanks to the quick actions of first responders, building staff, and civilians.

However, the structural damage was too great to withstand:

• The South Tower (2 WTC) collapsed at 9:59 a.m., just 56 minutes after impact.

• The North Tower (1 WTC) fell at 10:28 a.m., 102 minutes after being struck.

Both collapses produced massive clouds of dust and debris that blanketed Lower Manhattan. All seven buildings in the World Trade Center complex were ultimately destroyed or rendered structurally unsound.

Emergency Response

The collapse triggered the largest emergency response operation in New York City history. Within minutes:

• All bridges, tunnels, and airports were closed.

• Sensitive government locations were secured.

• All U.S. air traffic was grounded for the first time in history.

• Military fighter jets established combat air patrols over the city.

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY), New York Police Department (NYPD), and Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) rushed to the scene. In the largest single-day loss of emergency personnel in U.S. history:

• 343 FDNY firefighters

• 23 NYPD officers

• 37 PAPD officers
  …gave their lives in service.

Rescue and Recovery

Immediately after the collapse, federal, state, and local officials coordinated an enormous rescue and recovery effort, centered at Ground Zero and the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, which was temporarily used to sort debris and search for human remains.

• The last survivor was found in the rubble at 12:30 p.m. on September 12.

• The operation continued for over nine months, supported by thousands of volunteers, construction workers, and public servants.

• Forensic teams used DNA technology to identify victims, though remains for nearly half of the victims were never recovered.

The Human Toll

The attacks in New York City resulted in the deaths of 2,753 people—nearly 3,000 when combined with the attacks at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.

They were from over 90 countries and all walks of life—financial workers, janitors, military veterans, restaurant staff, executives, tourists, and schoolchildren.

Remembering and Rebuilding

In the aftermath of the attacks, New Yorkers—and Americans—responded with resilience, compassion, and unity. The spirit of service, sacrifice, and shared grief sparked one of the largest charitable mobilizations in modern history.

Recovery efforts have focused on both healing and honoring:

• Lower Manhattan’s master plan has combined commercial redevelopment with sacred space for remembrance.

• The National September 11 Memorial & Museum now stands at the site, serving as a tribute to those lost in both the 1993 WTC bombing and the 9/11 attacks.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

The Memorial features two reflecting pools built in the footprints of the Twin Towers. The names of all 2,977 victims are engraved in bronze around the edges.

The Museum, located underground, displays:

• -Monumental steel artifacts

• -Personal items recovered from the site

• -Audio and video testimonies from survivors, first responders, and families

• -Exhibits on the history, impact, and aftermath of the attacks

Together, the memorial and museum serve as places of quiet reflection, national mourning, and historical education.

A Lasting Impact

September 11, 2001, was a moment of profound national trauma. But in the destruction, New Yorkers—and the world—witnessed incredible acts of bravery, compassion, and humanity.

As the skyline continues to rise and communities rebuild, the memory of those lost remains etched in stone, steel, and spirit.

9/11 in Pennsylvania

“May all who visit this place remember the collective acts of courage and sacrifice of the passengers and crew, revere this hallowed ground as the final resting place of those heroes, and reflect on the power of individuals who choose to make a difference.”

— Flight 93 National Memorial Mission

The Flight 93 Story

On the morning of September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes in a coordinated assault on the United States. Two planes struck the World Trade Center in New York City, and a third crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into an open field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew fought back against their hijackers. All 40 innocent people aboard were killed—yet their actions changed the course of history.

A Routine Morning

The day began like any other. Seven crew members prepared for a non-stop morning flight from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco, California. Thirty-three passengers boarded for work trips, vacations, and family visits.

Flight 93, a Boeing 757 with a capacity of 182, was targeted by terrorists for specific reasons:

• -It was a long-haul, non-stop flight with a full fuel tank.

• -It departed near the same time as the other hijacked planes.

• -It had relatively few passengers, meaning less resistance.

• -It used an aircraft type that the hijackers had trained to fly.

Unlike the other flights, however, Flight 93 was delayed 25 minutes due to typical morning runway congestion. That delay would prove to be critical.

The Hijacking

At 8:46 a.m., just minutes after Flight 93’s takeoff, Flight 11 struck the North Tower in New York. At 9:03 a.m., Flight 175 hit the South Tower. By 9:37 a.m., Flight 77 had crashed into the Pentagon.

At approximately 9:28 a.m., after 46 minutes of routine flight over Pennsylvania, the hijackers aboard Flight 93 stormed the cockpit. The plane turned sharply southeast, aiming toward Washington, D.C.

Passengers and crew were pushed to the rear of the cabin and ordered to remain silent. But through airfone calls and cell phones, they began to piece together the unimaginable: this was part of a coordinated suicide attack on the United States.

“Let’s Roll”: The Decision to Fight Back

Upon learning of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, the passengers and crew quickly realized what was happening. They voted to fight back.

Over the next 30 minutes, this group of strangers developed a plan. Cockpit voice recordings captured their final, heroic moments—shouts, prayers, clashing with the hijackers, and desperate attempts to breach the cockpit.

To thwart the rebellion, the hijackers violently rolled and pitched the plane, even flipping it upside down. Ultimately, rather than allow the passengers to retake control, the terrorists crashed the plane deliberately.

At 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 slammed into an empty field in rural Pennsylvania at 580 miles per hour, its fuel tank nearly full. The resulting fireball could be seen for miles.

The Intended Target

Investigators later confirmed that the hijackers had reprogrammed the autopilot to aim for Washington, D.C.—most likely the U.S. Capitol, where Congress was in session.

Flight 93 crashed just 20 minutes flying time from the capital.

Because of the swift and collective action of those aboard, Flight 93 was the only one of the four hijacked planes that did not reach its intended target.

Legacy of Courage

The 40 passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 displayed extraordinary courage, unity, and selflessness. They were ordinary people—business travelers, students, retirees—but they made a decision that saved countless lives.

“Mayday! Get out of here!”— Unidentified crew member during the final moments

Today, their story stands as one of the most powerful examples of heroism in modern American history.

Honoring Their Sacrifice

The crash site is now home to the Flight 93 National Memorial, operated by the National Park Service. Visitors from around the world come to reflect on:

• -The strength of individuals in moments of unimaginable fear

• -The power of collective action

• -The high cost of freedom

The memorial features a Wall of Names, the Tower of Voices, and a Sacred Ground Plaza at the impact site—marking the final resting place of those aboard.

Volunteers, park rangers, family members, and citizens continue to work together to preserve the legacy of Flight 93, ensuring that future generations will never forget their sacrifice.