At 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Six minutes later, the first contingent of New York City firefighters—two ladder and two engine companies—had arrived at the stricken building. They had just begun to climb a stairwell in an effort to reach people trapped on the upper floors, when another hijacked airliner, United Airlines Flight 175, struck the south tower at 9:03 a.m.
The 9/11 attacks not only became the single deadliest terrorist attack in human history, but they were also the deadliest incident ever for firefighters, as well as for law enforcement officers, in the United States. The New York City Fire Department lost 343 among their ranks, while 23 New York City police officers and 37 Port Authority officers lost their lives.
The Day That Changed the World
Only 20 short years ago, we were shocked over scenes from New York as hijackers crashed two airliners into the World Trade Center Twin Towers on 9-11-2001. Then, another plane hit the Pentagon, and one plunged into a field in Pennsylvania.
That was a time when we all became New Yorkers in spirit. Our hearts were with those retrieving lives from the rubble. Although police and firefighters across America were heroes, responders first on the scene risked everything to start searching for those trapped in the rubble.
This September 11th, we hope that you will take a moment to honor those who answered the call that day. Honor the memory of the fallen and honor those who are still battling the physical and emotional traumas from that day.