9/11 Impact On Society

Although it may seem that the crashes themselves were the most devastating and terrifying part of the attacks, the fall of the towers caused the most damage and heartbreak all over the country. The first tower to collapse was the South Tower (Inside 9/11: War on America). It came crashing down at 9:59 a.m., almost fifty-six minutes after the initial impact, silencing the city. When the towers were built, they were built to withstand extreme conditions. The towers contained a series of fireproofing. However, the impact of the crash caused the fireproofing to blow off. As a result, the steel structure of the building softened from the extreme heat and flames from the jet fuels. The South Tower stood for fifty-six minutes after the initial impact (Johnson). Soon after the fall of the South Tower, the Pentagon also faced a destructive tragedy. At 10:10 a.m. the part of the Pentagon struck by the airplane also collapsed (Inside 9/11: War on America). Although

the North Tower was the first target hit, it was the last to collapse. At 10:28 a.m. the tower came toppling down. The North Tower stood for a total of one hundred and two minutes and five seconds after being struck (Johnson). When both towers collapsed, they fell almost a quarter of a mile to the earth at a speed of 120 mph. Following the crumpling of the towers, the governor of New York officially declared a state of emergency all across the state (CBS News 14).
After the destruction and devastation created by the fall of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, the only thing to do was start looking for survivors. That is exactly what people and firefighters did (Inside 9/11: War on America). No one would be found alive after September 12, 2001 (Sullivan 31). The firefighters of New York City and surrounding areas also began to fight the fires at Ground zero, and they would continue to do so as they burned for the next ninety-nine days (Inside 9/11: War on America).
September 11, 2001, has changed the lives and policies of a whole country. The attacks that happened on this terrible, devastating day created a terrible loss in the lives of several citizens. A combined total of 2,773 people died in the attacks on September 11, 2001 (Inside 9/11: War on America). At the World Trade Center alone, 2,740 civilians died. At the Pentagon one hundred and eighty nine were killed and all forty-four passengers on Flight 93 died when the plane crashed in Shanksville.
Not only did the September 11 attacks change people’s lives but it also changed our foreign policies with other countries.

Before 2001 and under the Clinton Administration the United States viewed terrorism as a crime (Dudley 46). However after the attacks and under the Bush Administration, terrorism is now considered an act of war (47). Following September 2001, the government also passed the Patriot Act in October (Inside 9/11: War on America). Also in October, the United States Army invaded Afghanistan in search of Al Qaeda members and their leader, Osama Bin Laden. Two years later, we invade and spread the fight to include Iraq. The invasion was do to a belief that Saddam Hussein was producing weapons of mass destruction and due to our newly launched War on Terror, we acted to remove him (Green). Our fight would continue for several years after the initial invasions following September 11, 2001. After ten years, the U.S. Special Forces finally locate Osama Bin Laden and kill him (Inside 9/11: War on

America).
September 11, 2001, also changed how airports handle security. After September 11, airport security has increased (Green). In most airports, you now have to under go full body scans. On some occasions, passengers may even experience pat downs. Also, before 2001, flight passengers were allowed to take a knife with a blade up to four inches long, liquids were allowed, and also were cigarette lighters. However, if you were to board a plane today, all these items have stricter regulations or are even not allowed.
On September 11, 2001, one of the most terrifying and deadliest attacks occurred in the United States. Four airlines were hijacked, three buildings were struck, and thousands of people died as the nation watched. The attacks planned and implemented on that day had a devastating and severe impact on our country that no one saw coming. September 11, 2001, will always be more than just a terrorist attack in the United States. It is a day that has changed our country and one that people will never forget. Numerous memorials have been created to honor those whose lives were lost and so we will always remember.