The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, also known as 9/11, were a series of coordinated suicide attacks by the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda on the United States. The attacks killed 2,977 people and injured over 6,000 others, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in world history.
The attacks involved the hijacking of four commercial airplanes that were then intentionally crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. A fourth plane was also hijacked, but crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers.
The immediate aftermath of the attacks saw a huge search and rescue operation, as well as a recovery effort to clean up the debris and try to identify the victims. In the days and weeks following 9/11, there was a significant increase in security at airports and other public places, as well as a heightened state of alert and increased military presence around the world.
The attacks had a profound impact on the United States and the world as a whole. In addition to the loss of life and destruction of property, the attacks sparked a global war on terror, with the United States leading the charge in military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The attacks also led to significant changes in domestic and international security measures, such as the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act.
In the years since 9/11, there has been much research and analysis done on the attacks and their aftermath. Scholars and experts have studied the events leading up to the attacks, the motivations of the perpetrators, and the impact of the attacks on international relations and security.
One area of research has focused on the intelligence failures leading up to the attacks, and efforts to improve intelligence gathering and analysis in order to prevent future attacks. Other research has examined the psychological impact of 9/11 on the individuals directly affected by the attacks, as well as on the wider population.
In addition, there has been ongoing debate and discussion about the appropriate response to the attacks, including the use of military force and other measures to combat terrorism. The events of 9/11 have also had a significant impact on international relations, with some arguing that the attacks and the subsequent war on terror have exacerbated tensions between the Western world and the Muslim world.
Overall, the research on 9/11 has provided a deeper understanding of the events of that day and their aftermath, and has helped to inform efforts to prevent future terrorist attacks and address their consequences.