24 years since the terrorist attack that changed the world: 9/11

Since 2001, every September 11th, the world mourns what happened at the World Trade Center. At 8:46 a.m., the roar of a passenger plane from American Airlines impacting the North Tower of the commercial complex left all those near lower Manhattan in total shock. Just 17 minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., the South Tower was struck by a second plane, this time from United Airlines. Two 110-story towers fell in the course of 1 hour and 42 minutes. A third plane, identified as American Airlines Flight 77, hit the Pentagon in Virginia at 9:43 a.m. A fourth passenger plane, United Airlines Flight 93, did not achieve its goal of hitting the Capitol in Washington D.C., but crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The destruction of the World Trade Center represented damage to the economy of New York City. It caused the world to be paralyzed in a global economic recession. As a result, many countries strengthened terrorist legislation and invested in intelligence for the prevention of terrorist attacks.

Figures:

2,977 people were reported as deceased. Commemorating today, 24 years after the event, only 60% of the victims' remains have been identified, in the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of humanity. 25,000 people were injured and have had consequences for their health. 4 planes paralyzed the World Trade Center of the western world. 343 firefighters, 125 dead inside the Pentagon building, 23 agents of the New York Police Department and 37 police officers of the New York and New Jersey port authority. Around 10,000 fragments of unidentified bones and tissues that cannot be compared to the list of the dead. It is the total balance to date. Of the 2,977 identified, 25 Dominicans are on the list.

Who is responsible?

The name most associated with the September 11 terrorist attacks is the leader of Al Qaida, Osama bin Laden, but the alleged mastermind of the attack was Khalid Shaikh Mohamed. Osama initially denied his involvement, but later retracted his false statements. Al Jazeera broadcast a statement from him on September 16, 2001, saying: "I emphasize that I did not carry out this act, which appears to have been carried out by individuals with their own motivation." However, in November 2001, U.S. forces recovered a videotape from a destroyed house in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. On the video, Bin Laden says: "It has become clear that the West in general, and the United States in particular, have an indescribable hatred for Islam. Terrorism against the United States deserves praise because it was a response to injustice, intended to force the United States to stop its support for Israel, which kills our people. We say that the end of the United States is imminent." Heartbreaking Calls: In several videos uploaded on YouTube, the heartbreaking audios of hundreds of people who called the 911 emergency system and their families to ask for help, and at the same time, say goodbye, can be heard. "Hello, this is Betty Ong. I am number 3 in the back (flight attendant). The cockpit is not responding. Someone was stabbed in business class. I think the plane has been hijacked," were the broken words that Ong said to the 911 operator. "Hi Mom, it's Stephen. My building has just been hit by a plane. Right now I think I'm okay. I'm safe, but there's a lot of smoke. I just wanted to tell you that I love you very much and I'll call you when I'm safe. Goodbye." Those were the words of Stephen Mulderry, who was on the 89th floor of the South Tower.

"Jules, this is Brian. Listen, I'm on a plane that has been hijacked. Things are not good, they don't look good at all. I just wanted to tell you that I love you. I want you to be okay, to have fun. The same for my parents and everyone. Absolutely, I love you. I'll see you when you get here." Words of Brian Sweeney, passenger on United Airlines flight 175, in his last call to his wife.

Those were just some of the heartbreaking calls. Hearing their broken, tearful voices, begging for help and saying goodbye is just a reminder that cruelty and bad deeds have consequences. Thousands of innocent people died that morning.

A memorial:

Instead, the new World Trade Center was built, which includes a museum and memorial, and a transportation hub similar in size to Grand Central Terminal. A place where many people gather to remember those who are no longer with us. Those who gave their lives to save others. Those who went to work in the largest economic center at that time. Those who, unknowingly, encountered history in a terrifying way. Today, 24 years later, the world mourns the thousands who died in an inhumane act...