September 11, 2001 terror attacks

Prefer us on Google Arthur Cyr A quarter century has passed since the devastating, horrifying terrorist surprise attacks of September 11, 2001. This important anniversary provides a worthwhile incentive to reflect on as well as analyze the lessons of the events — and the aftermath. On a sunny September morning 25 years ago, al-Qaeda terrorists highjacked four civilian aircraft departed from East Coast airports and turned them into extremely effective lethal suicide weapons of mass murder. Box cutters, which could pass through security monitors, or if detected were allowed at that time, were the weapons. Two of the planes slammed into the Twin Towers of the original World Trade Center in New York City, causing structural damage sufficient that they collapsed. Another plane crashed into the Pentagon, causing extensive damage and fires. The fourth aircraft, probably headed for the Capitol or the White House, did not succeed in reaching the target. Courageous passengers, aware of what was happening, tried to take back control. That plane plummeted into a field in Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board. ICYMI | Woman dies after being pinned beneath off-road vehicle in Northwest Indiana NIPSCO urged to repay 4,000 Northwest Indiana residents over decades of double charges Wanatah couple found dead, LaPorte County police investigate Man faces child sex charge after being nabbed with 3 juveniles in Portage parking lot Gary program offers $350 payments to residents who lost food, wages, necessities in storms Mom, daughter dead following Indiana police pursuit crash UPDATE | Power restored to Portage residents, but nearly 1,300 in Michigan City still out Lake Station man faces six child molesting charges involving two girls U.S. Steel completes $350 million project, returns blast furnace to service at Gary Works Northwest Indiana man charged after allegedly pulling out gun at oil change shop Alleged Northwest Indiana gambling kingpin asks for release pending trial Indiana cop arrested, charged with using Flock camera system for 2,000 improper searches Woman intentionally stepped in front of train in Michigan City, police say Top Porter County lawmen afoul of public trust in Northwest Indiana Flock camera case Michigan City man accused of molestation after girl makes claim during class at school The death toll from these partially successful atrocities was high. A total of 2,753 people were killed in the World Trade Center attacks. People were seen to jump from the burning structures as a preferred alternative form of death. Adding deaths at the Pentagon and in the crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania brings the total to 2,977. Total people injured is more difficult to calculate, given concentrated urban populations involved, delayed onset of symptoms of some injuries and the general chaos and confusion resulting from the strikes. Approximately 10,000 people in New York were treated immediately for serious injuries. Individual and collective heroism characterized reactions to the unprecedented attacks, including and reaching well beyond the passengers in the sky over Pennsylvania who faced almost certain death but decided – immediately and collectively – to act to at least defeat the terrorists.