On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., the United States was attacked by terrorists in New York City and again at 9:45 a.m. in Washington, DC and the world was forever changed...

The first of two hijacked aircraft - American Flight 11 from Boston crashed into the North Tower at the World Trade Center. Seventeen minutes later at  9:03 a.m. - United Flight 175 from Boston crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Fifty nine minutes later at 9:45 a.m. a third hijacked airliner - American Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon outside Washington.  A fourth hijacked plane (United Flight 93) was forcibly crashed in a wooded area in Pennsylvania after passengers confronted the hijackers thus helping to avert another intentional airliner crash in a populous area. Trading on Wall Street was stopped. The Federal Aviation  Administration halted all flight operations at the nation's airports for the first time in U.S. history.   The U.S. military was placed on high alert.   President Bush addressed the nation and vowed to "find those responsible and bring them to justice."

Hundreds of New York City firemen and policemen that were sent to rescue WTC workers were lost when the WTC Twin Towers began collapsing.  The South Tower at the World Trade Center collapsed at 10:05 a.m.  followed by the collapse of the North Tower at 10:28 a.m.

Reaction from international leaders was swift as world leaders started reacting with outrage over the hideous and malicious attacks on civilians.  Those that perished held citizenship in 36 different countries with the majority of the deceased being from 13 countries - Australia, Bermuda, Canada, China, El Salvador, Germany, Grenada, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States. 

Fighting back tears on September 13th, President Bush vowed that America will "lead the world to victory" over terrorism in a struggle that he termed to be the first war of the 21st century. Secretary of State Colin Powell publicly identified Osama Bin Laden as the prime suspect in the events of September 11th.   Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz stated, the United States will respond with a sustained military campaign, not a single strike. 

As events continued to unfold in the following days - Operation Enduring Freedom began in earnest.