9/11 attack: Full timeline of events on September 11, 2001
IT has been 21 years since the horrific 9/11 attacks and the results are still felt throughout the nation as more bodies have been identified.
As we look back on the deadly terrorist attacks, we remember the lives of the thousands who did not survive.
When did the attacks take place?
On September 11, 2001, a group of al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four airliners.
Two planes - Flight 11 and Flight 75 - crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City while American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the West wall of the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a Pennsylvania field.
8:46am - The first American Airlines plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center
9:03am - Just 20 minutes later, a second plane crashed into the South Tower
9:37am - Later, a third plane then hit the Pentagon in Washington DC
9:59am - The South Tower was the first to collapse after burning for around 56 minutes.
10:03am - A fourth plane crashed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as passengers fought with the hijackers on the flight.
10:28am - The North Tower fell not long after
How many people died in the terror attack on the World Trade Center?
Of the 2,996 who died on 9/11, including the 19 hijackers, 2,606 were killed at the World Trade Center and the surrounding area.
Both towers collapsed following the impact, with debris causing more deaths and injury on the streets below.
Many people including the emergency response teams lost their lives trying to save others. It was the worst loss of life due to a terrorist incident on US soil.
Those killed included:
- 2,606 killed in or around the World Trade Center
- 67 British people
- 300 New York firefighters
Among those who died was “The Falling Man”, a figure photographed falling from the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:41am.
Many of those trapped in the towers threw themselves out of windows as they realized they wouldn't be able to make it out in time.
The photographer of this photo was later identified as , an Associated Press photo-journalist.
As of 2021, 60% of the all people who died that day have been identified, the happening right before the 20th anniversary.
US troops were then from Afghanistan on August 31, 2021.
Where is the memorial?
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is at the original World Trade Center site.
The memorial features two huge, deep pools at the base of the old towers.
Around the edges of the pools, each almost an acre in size, the names of those who were killed in the attacks are embossed in bronze panels.
It includes the names of 2,996 people killed by al-Qaeda in New York, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.