A Quarter-Century After 9/11 Attacks, America Remembers

Twenty-five years ago this morning, network and local television news shows were on air live when they were interrupted at 7:45 a.m. Tuscaloosa time. An airliner had just struck the World Trade Center (WTC) North Tower in New York City.

Commentators and their aviation experts voiced confusion, had limited information and assumed the incident was a tragic accident. Early coverage across major networks and newsrooms reflected shock but not yet an understanding that the U.S. was under attack.

Analysts recounted how a B-25 bomber flown by Birmingham native Lt. Col. Franklin Smith, a veteran of 42 World War II combat missions, flew into the Empire State Building in 1945. He was disoriented by low visibility at nighttime. But this incident was taking place in daytime, with clear skies. Was it pilot error or navigational equipment failure? That question was answered 17 minutes later.

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As word spread about the first collision, millions tuned in to see what was happening when, at 8:03 a.m., a second airliner flew into the south tower live on television. The tone of the coverage shifted instantly to recognition that this was not an accident but a coordinated terrorist attack.

Fear and confusion ramped up as a third airliner flew low approaching the Pentagon before striking the west side of the home of the United States Military at 8:37 a.m.

As hundreds of thousands watched in stunned disbelief from the streets of New York, along with millions via television around the world, the north tower began a slow-motion crumble onto Greenwich Street and West Street on the northwest side of the WTC complex.

The horror was not over. At 9:03 a.m., passengers aboard hijacked Flight 93 decided to take matters into their own hands and attempted to seize control of the aircraft from the terrorists. They didn't succeed in taking control, but they were able to keep it from reaching either the nation's Capitol or the White House. It plunged into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

There was one more unimaginable chapter to the day's events. At 9:28 a.m., the smoking south tower began to fall onto Liberty Street, West Street and Church Street, where first responders were staged and initial crash survivors had been evacuated in perceived safety.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology report states that about 1,000 first responders were on the scene at the WTC, with 412 of them sacrificing their lives that morning. Three hundred forty-three were Fire Department of New York City firefighters and paramedics. Twenty-three NYPD officers and 37 Port Authority Police officers also lost their lives doing their jobs.

As the attacks unfolded, President George W. Bush learned of them while preparing to read a book to students at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida. As cameras captured the moment, Chief of Staff Andy Card informed him that a plane had hit the World Trade Center.

The initial word was that it was a small plane. He immediately established contact with the White House Situation Room, where he learned there was more to it. Card again whispered to the president: "A second plane hit the second tower. America is under attack."

Bush remained seated so he would not alarm the students but took his leave a short time later, as so much was happening so quickly and nobody knew how widespread the attacks would be, how many aircraft had been hijacked or how long the attacks would last.

The original plan was for the president to fly straight back to Washington, but by 10:10 a.m., the Secret Service, Vice President Cheney and senior advisers strongly urged against it out of fear that more attacks on the capital could come.

Air Force One turned due west, away from the capital. It flew to Barksdale Air Force Base, a secure installation in Louisiana, then to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska before returning to the White House. A rumored threat to Air Force One had been reported.

Upon his return to Washington, Bush addressed the nation: "Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts." He described the victims — people in the airplanes, offices and government buildings — and emphasized the suddenness and scale of the tragedy. He acknowledged the horror and grief, and promised to find those responsible and seek retribution.

So ended a day many called a "Second Day of Infamy," recalling President Roosevelt's description of the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, that brought the United States into World War II on December 7, 1941.

After the initial shock, the American public began to register anger and resolve to avenge the dead, and a sense of unity developed. For weeks, churches were packed as a deeply divided nation — politically and culturally — united for a time.

President Bush's calm demeanor and resolve to hold the terrorists accountable, much as FDR had in 1941, helped bring the country through the crisis.

That promise of accountability resulted in military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, which, due to its length, began to fracture the unity created by 9/11.

Polls show the majority of Americans who experienced 9/11 say it remains the most significant event of their lifetime.

There is also a more lasting result of the attacks. National, state and local governments updated and improved emergency plans and preparedness, developed more training and emergency exercises and instituted airport security upgrades.

September is now officially Emergency Preparedness Month, an annual emergency management-led campaign encouraging Americans to prepare for disasters and emergencies of all kinds.

Today, September 11, 2026, is Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance — a day of mourning, unity, reflection and public service.

We remember.