On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with an Islamic extremist group hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Often referred to as 9/11, the attacks resulted in extensive death and destruction, triggering major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defining the presidency of George W. Bush. To this day it is remembered with great sadness but also with great pride at how our country came together during a time of strife.
