September 11, 2001

A Tragic Day in America

Plane crashes destroy New York's World Trade Center and damage Pentagon building in Washington, D.C.

An explosion shakes the World Trade Center after the attack.

By Dina El Nabli

Planes crashed into each of New York City's famous Twin Towers in an apparent terrorist attack on Tuesday morning. The attack caused both buildings to collapse a short while later. Officials fear a huge number of people were killed and injured following the attack on the towers, also known as the World Trade Center. Shortly after the Trade Center attack, the Pentagon (a government building in Washington, D.C.) was damaged when a plane crashed into its side. All of the planes appear to have been hijacked, or taken over by terrorists. A short while later, a fourth plane flying above Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was reportedly hijacked before it crashed.

A National Tragedy
President Bush, who was visiting Sarasota, Florida, called the World Trade Center attack "a national tragedy and an apparent act of terrorism against our country." He said the entire government would quickly investigate the attack. "Terrorism against our country will not stand," he said, before asking the nation to observe a moment of silence for victims of the attack.

Rescue workers walk away from the crash site at the Pentagon building just outside of Washington D.C.

Both the President and the U.S. government are safe, and are working with many state and federal agencies to bring help to those who need it. After the crash at the Pentagon building, the White House, the Capitol building, the Treasury, State Department and all other federal government buildings were safely evacuated, or emptied. In New York, the United Nations building was evacuated and in Chicago, Illinois, the Sears Tower was evacuated. The federal government quickly closed all airports, putting a stop to airline travel in the United States. All bridges and tunnels into New York City were closed and the government sealed off borders between the U.S. and Mexico and the U.S. and Canada. Smoke filled the downtown New York area and many hours later, at about 5 p.m., another building collapsed, this one with 47 floors.

Who Could Be Responsible?
Officials said a terrorist group from the Middle East might have carried out the attacks. Many of these groups are angry with the U.S. government because they believe the U.S. has taken Israel's side in the long violent conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Joanne Creeton was one of many volunteers who gave blood at the American Red Cross in Dedham, Massachusetts to help victims of the attack.

Sorrow in New York
Officials do not know how many people were killed in today's attack, both in the air and on the ground, but they fear the number of people who have died is very high. About 50,000 people work in the World Trade Center and as many as 200,000 people enter the Twin Towers each working day. Hospitals in downtown New York have been overwhelmed with victims. Many hospitals are treating people with burn and head injuries. Many officials have asked city residents to donate blood to help the victims.

More details about this tragedy are being revealed as the day progresses. Parents, teachers and kids should stay tuned to timeforkids.com or TIME.com for updates and information.

See our Photo Essay "Tragedy and Its Aftermath"

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