9/11 was one of the most tragic and devastating days in human history.
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 innocent people, injured over 6,000, and destroyed the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and also a plane crash in Pennsylvania.
The aftermath of the attacks has had a profound impact on the world, shaping global politics and leading to ongoing conflicts and security concerns.
Here are the 20 Most Shocking and Tragic Facts About 9/11:
Shocking Facts About 9/11
1. On September 11, 2001, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Virginia, and a plane crash in Pennsylvania resulted in the deaths of 2,996 people.
2. On any given workday, up to 50,000 employees worked in the twin towers of the World Trade Center before the attacks.
3. Al-Qaeda initially considered targeting nuclear power plants on 9/11 but decided against it, fearing things could “get out of control.”
4. Even a month before the tragic events of 9/11, there were warning signs that something was brewing. President George W. Bush was handed a memo titled: “Bin Laden Determined To Strike in the US” which specifically mentioned the possibility of hijackings and targeting major cities such as New York City.
5. Surprisingly, The World Trade Center’s owner had scheduled a meeting on Tower 1 for 9/11/2001 to discuss what to do in the event of a terrorist attack, but it was rescheduled the night before because someone couldn’t attend.
Surprising Facts About 9/11
6. In the days leading up to the attacks, there were several missed opportunities to intervene. Actor James Woods reported four suspicious individuals on his flight, but authorities did not act on his claim, and they later turned out to be the 9/11 hijackers.
7. Among the devastation, there were some small moments of hope and heroism as 18 people were rescued alive from the rubble of the World Trade Center.
8. The cleanup and recovery efforts were immense, with over 1.4 million tons of debris removed and 19,435 body parts recovered in the aftermath of the attacks.
9. The attacks also had a deep impact on communities around the world, with the Maasai tribe in Kenya offering a touching gesture of support by giving 14 of their cattle to America as aid.
10. The outpouring of support from other countries, like Canada, who housed, fed, and sheltered over 33,000 passengers when flights were grounded during 9/11, brought some comfort to the victims and their families.
Crazy Facts About 9/11
11. Passengers aboard United Flight 93, heard about the previous airplane attacks and attempted to retake control of the plane from hijackers. As a result, the hijackers deliberately crashed the plane in a Pennsylvania field instead of at their unknown target.
12. Jackie Chan was scheduled to be on top of the World Trade Center on the morning of 9/11 for a movie, but the screenwriter failed to deliver the script on time.
13. Inspired by 9/11, a 15-year-old boy stole an airplane and crashed it into a skyscraper in Tampa, Florida, in 2002. Thankfully, He was the only person who died.
14. It’s estimated that 1,000 additional deaths occurred in the months following 9/11 because Americans chose to travel by car instead of by plane.
15. NASA recovered metal from the World Trade Center and used it on Martian rovers as a tribute to those fallen in the 9/11 attacks.
Tragic Facts About 9/11
16. The economic impact of the attacks was staggering US$30.5 billion.
17. The devastation of 9/11 reached far beyond the World Trade Center, with nearby buildings such as the 7 World Trade Center, which housed a secret CIA office, also collapsing in the aftermath of the attacks.
18. The attacks also caused immense damage to cultural heritage, destroying US$100 million worth of art, including works from renowned artists like Pablo Picasso.
19. The heroism and quick thinking of those in positions of authority during the attacks should also be acknowledged, such as the man who ordered the grounding of all aircraft in the U.S. on 9/11, who was on his first day on the job.
20. The events of 9/11 have also had a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of those who were affected, including first responders and rescuers who were exposed to toxic substances, like asbestos, at Ground Zero, which caused severe health problems such as lung problems.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading about 20 Amazing facts about Human Body.
In case you’re interested in reading other articles:
25 Surprising Facts About Human Brain That You Didn’t Know
15 Awesome facts about Octopus that will blow your Mind
20 Mind-Blowing Facts About Bears That You Probably Didn’t Know
