September 11 Always Remember

September 11 Always Remember

September 11, 2001 On September 11, 2001, a group of terrorists hijacked four planes on the East Coast of the United States. They crashed the first two planes on purpose into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. Soon after, they smashed a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. They tried to crash a fourth plane into another building, but people on the plane stopped them. That plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The tragic events of that day left many people dead or injured. The Twin Towers were completely destroyed, and their collapse caused damage many blocks away. An entire section of the Pentagon was destroyed as well.

Many people became heroes because of their brave actions that day. Police, firefighters, doctors, nurses, and ordinary people who were just walking by ran into burning buildings to help people who were trapped or hurt. Rescue workers from all over the United States came to help find survivors. Some of these heroes died trying to help.

Beginning to Remember In the days after September 11, people wanted to show their support for the survivors and heroes, and to remember the people who died. They wanted to make sure the events and people were remembered. The sites around the plane crashes were covered with cards, pictures, letters, American flags, and other special objects. People also covered the walls and sidewalks outside of police and fire stations with remembrances.

In New York City, people lit thousands of candles in different parks and wrote messages of support on long rolls of paper. Volunteers gave their time to help the rescue workers as they searched for survivors and cleaned up the debris. They gathered food and other supplies that the rescue workers needed.

The Spreading Memorials People all over the world began to send cards, letters, and other things to show their support. A group of children in Hawaii made leis- necklaces made of flowers-with messages written on them. They sent these messages to survivors and rescue workers at all three sites. The leis gave people hope and support. Many children used art to show the world how they felt about September 11. Some drew, painted, and colored pictures of what they saw that day to help them feel better. Others sent letters of support with their art to the rescue workers, survivors, and the families of those who died.