It’s 8:46 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing years of chaos and mourning, and marks one of the worst events in United States history.
9:03 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
9:37 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 strikes the Pentagon in Washington D.C.
9:59 a.m. The South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses in total of ten seconds.
10:03 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
10:28 a.m. The North Tower of the World Trade Center collapses, marking the end to the beginning of a long journey ahead for New York City, Washington D.C., and the families of those killed in the planes.
Within 102 minutes, nineteen hijackers working for Osama Bin Laden (deceased leader of Al Qaeda) had taken the death poll of this historic event to an astonishing 3,000 people; mothers, fathers, children, grandmas, and grandpas–no group was excluded. As of today, the death toll continues to rise as survivors pass from exposure to toxic chemicals during the collapse, and only 60% of the victims’ remains have been identified in fifteen years.
In an event so important to the history of this country, children and teenagers are not always provided with the knowledge of the horrific events that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. As the children born past 2001 reach an age of understanding, this part of history belongs to a time when they were not around, and therefore they need to be informed and taught. Sara Russell, history teacher, says, “We assume that children born post 9/11 know the history, but they are not taught it, and are not seeking out information.”
The division of knowledge on U.S. history is explained by the simple fact that teachers don’t realize students were not around to experience the chaos that makes every person remember their exact actions the day the towers came crashing down. Joslyn Schafer, sophomore, addresses, “It’s very important for younger generations to be informed on the history of our country.”
Living in a time where terrorism is a very real matter, 9/11 marks a time to help children understand the hardships this country has gone through and how we are able to overcome any obstacle and still live in the most powerful country in the world. Russell conferred about history lessons and said, “Learning about 9/11 helps the younger students to understand the world they are living in, domestic and foreign policy, and how 9/11 is a direct cause of events happening today.” The students now are the adults in twenty years, which means they need to be informed on topics which will not only further their education of the U.S. but help them to solve worldly problems they may confront.
9/11 is a time, date, and historic event which is referenced to honor those who died. Whether they worked in the World Trade Center or fought to save others’ lives, this day is not only to show how part of the U.S. collapsed, but to celebrate the lives of the people who lived through it and remember those who passed. It is day which should never be forgotten.
