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September 11 Attacks Timeline

(September 11, 2001)

The September 11 attacks were a series of coordinated suicide terrorist strikes carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States, in which hijacked airliners were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., killing nearly 3,000 people and reshaping U.S. foreign policy and global security. Less

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Background and Plotting

Osama bin Laden founds al-Qaeda

Aug 11, 1988

Following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden and associates founded al-Qaeda, a militant Islamist organization that would later orchestrate global terrorist attacks, including the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Image source: Al-Qaeda

Osama bin Laden founds al-Qaeda

1993 World Trade Center bombing

Feb 26, 1993

Terrorists detonated a truck bomb beneath the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing six people and injuring over a thousand. The attack foreshadowed the larger devastation of September 11, 2001.

Image source: 1993 World Trade Center bombing

1993 World Trade Center bombing

U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania

Aug 7, 1998

Al-Qaeda carried out near-simultaneous truck bombings at U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, killing over 220 people. The attacks prompted U.S. cruise missile strikes against targets in Afghanistan and Sudan.

Image source: 1998 United States embassy bombings

U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed presents 'planes operation' plan to bin Laden

Jan 1, 1999

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, later known as the principal architect of the September 11 attacks, proposed a plot to hijack commercial airliners and crash them into prominent U.S. buildings. Osama bin Laden approved and provided funding and operatives for what became known as the 'planes operation.'

Image source: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed presents 'planes operation' plan to bin Laden

Hijacker pilots begin arriving in the United States

Jan 15, 2000

Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, two future hijackers, arrived in Los Angeles from Saudi Arabia via Bangkok. Over the following months, additional operatives including Mohamed Atta entered the country to prepare for the attacks.

Image source: Hijackers in the September 11 attacks

Hijacker pilots begin arriving in the United States

Hijackers begin flight training in the United States

Jul 1, 2000

Mohamed Atta and Marwan al-Shehhi began flight training at Huffman Aviation in Venice, Florida, earning their pilot licenses by year's end. Other hijackers trained at flight schools across Florida, Arizona, and New Jersey.

USS Cole bombing in Yemen

Oct 12, 2000

Al-Qaeda operatives attacked the USS Cole, a U.S. Navy destroyer refueling in Aden, Yemen, with an explosive-laden boat. Seventeen American sailors were killed, demonstrating al-Qaeda's growing capability to strike U.S. targets.

Image source: USS Cole bombing

USS Cole bombing in Yemen

Bin Laden finalizes attack plans with operatives

Aug 1, 2001

In summer 2001, Osama bin Laden met with key plotters in Afghanistan to finalize the September 11 operation, selecting targets and confirming the date after receiving approval for the coordinated hijackings.

Image source: September 11 attacks

Bin Laden finalizes attack plans with operatives

Immediate Response

Rescue and recovery operations begin at Ground Zero

Sep 11, 2001 - May 30, 2002

Thousands of firefighters, police officers, and volunteers worked around the clock at the World Trade Center site, known as Ground Zero, searching for survivors and remains. The recovery effort lasted eight months until the site was officially cleared in May 2002.

Image source: Rescue and recovery effort after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center

Rescue and recovery operations begin at Ground Zero

President Bush addresses the nation from the Oval Office

Sep 11, 2001

After spending part of the day at Offutt Air Force Base amid security concerns, President George W. Bush returned to Washington and addressed the nation at 8:30 p.m., declaring that 'terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America.'

Image source: September 11 attacks

President Bush addresses the nation from the Oval Office

FAA grounds all civilian aircraft over the United States

Sep 11, 2001

For the first time in history, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered every civilian aircraft in U.S. airspace to land immediately. Roughly 4,500 planes were grounded, and international flights were diverted to Canada under Operation Yellow Ribbon.

Image source: Timeline for the day of the September 11 attacks

FAA grounds all civilian aircraft over the United States

Congress passes Authorization for Use of Military Force

Sep 14, 2001

Congress overwhelmingly passed the AUMF, authorizing the president to use force against those responsible for the attacks. Only one member of Congress, Representative Barbara Lee, voted against it. The authorization has since underpinned two decades of U.S. military operations.

Image source: Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001

Congress passes Authorization for Use of Military Force

President Bush declares a War on Terror before Congress

Sep 20, 2001

In an address to a joint session of Congress, President Bush declared a global War on Terror, demanding that the Taliban regime in Afghanistan hand over Osama bin Laden and vowing that the United States would pursue terrorists 'in every corner of the globe.'

Image source: War on terror

President Bush declares a War on Terror before Congress

Day of the Attacks

North Tower collapses

Sep 11, 2001

At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed after burning for 102 minutes. The collapse destroyed the Marriott hotel and damaged surrounding buildings, bringing the death toll at the World Trade Center site to nearly 2,800.

Image source: Collapse of the World Trade Center

North Tower collapses

South Tower collapses

Sep 11, 2001

At 9:59 a.m., after burning for 56 minutes, the South Tower collapsed in under ten seconds. The collapse killed hundreds of first responders and civilians, and sent massive dust clouds surging through Lower Manhattan streets.

Flight 93 crashes in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

Sep 11, 2001

At 10:03 a.m., Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 40 passengers and crew and four hijackers. The heroism of those aboard became one of the most enduring stories of the day.

Image source: United Airlines Flight 93

Flight 93 crashes in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

Passengers and crew fight back on United Airlines Flight 93

Sep 11, 2001

After learning of the earlier attacks through phone calls, passengers and crew of Flight 93, delayed out of Newark, voted to storm the cockpit. Their struggle, captured on the cockpit voice recorder, prevented the hijackers from reaching their intended target, believed to be the U.S. Capitol or White House.

Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon

Sep 11, 2001

At 9:37 a.m., Flight 77 crashed into the western side of the Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, killing all 64 people aboard and 125 military and civilian personnel in the building.

Image source: American Airlines Flight 77

Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon

American Airlines Flight 77 is hijacked

Sep 11, 2001

Flight 77, en route from Washington Dulles Airport to Los Angeles, was hijacked by five men around 8:51 a.m. The plane turned back toward Washington, D.C., descending rapidly as it approached the capital.

Flight 175 crashes into the World Trade Center's South Tower

Sep 11, 2001

At 9:03 a.m., Flight 175 slammed into the South Tower between floors 77 and 85, broadcast live to millions watching television coverage. The nation realized America was under a coordinated terrorist attack.

Image source: United Airlines Flight 175

Flight 175 crashes into the World Trade Center's South Tower

Hijackers seize United Airlines Flight 175

Sep 11, 2001

United Airlines Flight 175, also departing Boston for Los Angeles, was hijacked around 8:42 a.m. Its transponder was turned off and it deviated from its route, though controllers initially could not confirm it had been commandeered.

Flight 11 crashes into the World Trade Center's North Tower

Sep 11, 2001

At 8:46 a.m., Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center between floors 93 and 99, killing everyone aboard and hundreds inside the building. The impact severed all three stairwells above the crash zone, trapping occupants on upper floors.

Image source: American Airlines Flight 11

Flight 11 crashes into the World Trade Center's North Tower

Hijackers take control of American Airlines Flight 11

Sep 11, 2001

Five hijackers seized American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767 bound from Boston to Los Angeles, shortly after its 8:14 a.m. departure from Logan International Airport. Flight attendant Betty Ong alerted ground crews, providing the first warning of the unfolding attacks.

Aftermath and Legacy

Operation Enduring Freedom begins in Afghanistan

Oct 7, 2001

The United States, joined by British forces, launched airstrikes against Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to surrender bin Laden. The invasion toppled the Taliban government within weeks but began America's longest war.

Image source: Operation Enduring Freedom

Operation Enduring Freedom begins in Afghanistan

USA PATRIOT Act signed into law

Oct 26, 2001

President Bush signed the USA PATRIOT Act, dramatically expanding surveillance powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The legislation sparked ongoing debates about national security versus civil liberties.

Image source: Patriot Act

USA PATRIOT Act signed into law

Transportation Security Administration created

Nov 19, 2001

Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act creating the TSA, which federalized airport screening. Enhanced security measures, reinforced cockpit doors, and new identification requirements permanently transformed air travel worldwide.

Image source: Transportation Security Administration

Transportation Security Administration created

Department of Homeland Security established

Nov 25, 2002

President Bush signed the Homeland Security Act, creating the largest reorganization of the federal government since 1947. The new department consolidated 22 agencies to coordinate protection against terrorism and other threats.

Image source: United States Department of Homeland Security

Department of Homeland Security established

Space Shuttle Columbia carries tribute to 9/11 victims

Jan 16, 2003

The crew of Space Shuttle Columbia's final mission carried a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center wreckage into space as a tribute to the victims of September 11, symbolizing the nation's remembrance.

Image source: STS-107

Space Shuttle Columbia carries tribute to 9/11 victims

9/11 Commission releases final report

Jul 22, 2004

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States issued its detailed report on the failures of intelligence and security that allowed the attacks to succeed, recommending sweeping reforms including creation of the Director of National Intelligence.

Image source: 9/11 Commission Report

9/11 Commission releases final report

National September 11 Memorial opens in New York City

Sep 11, 2011

On the tenth anniversary of the attacks, the 9/11 Memorial opened at the World Trade Center site, featuring twin reflecting pools set within the footprints of the fallen towers, inscribed with the names of the 2,983 victims.

Image source: National September 11 Memorial & Museum

National September 11 Memorial opens in New York City

One World Trade Center opens in Manhattan

Nov 3, 2014

One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere at 1,776 feet, opened for business on the rebuilt World Trade Center site, standing as a symbol of resilience thirteen years after the attacks.

Image source: One World Trade Center

One World Trade Center opens in Manhattan

9/11 Tribute Museum and Flight 93 National Memorial milestones

Sep 10, 2015

Memorials honoring the victims continued to develop nationwide, including the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, whose visitor center opened in 2015, preserving the story of the passengers who fought back against the hijackers.

Image source: Flight 93 National Memorial

9/11 Tribute Museum and Flight 93 National Memorial milestones

Key Facts

  1. Nineteen al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes on the morning of September 11, 2001.
  2. Two planes struck the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both to collapse.
  3. A third plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, damaging part of the building.
  4. Passengers on the fourth plane fought back, and it crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, believed to be headed for another target.
  5. Nearly 3,000 people were killed, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in history and leading to the U.S. War on Terror.

Source

This September 11 Attacks timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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